Abstemious

ABSTEMIOUS

Adjective. E17

[from Latin abstemious, from ABS- base of temetum intoxicating drink: see -OUS]

Sparing, moderate, not self-indulgent, esp. in food and drink.

Once, a long, long time ago, I was working a security job, and a very pretty girl came out from the office and offered me a cup of tea. I politely declined, she asked if I was sure, and I declined again. As she walked away, she said playfully "I do hope you're not just being abstemious." 

This is lodged in my memory for several several reasons: 

1) She was very, very, very pretty.

2) I really did want a cup of tea.

3) I didn't know what abstemious meant.

4) When I went home and looked it up, she was right! I was being abstemious! Dammit.