From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. A vow of celibacy is a promise not to enter into marriage but instead to consecrate one's life to service. Some writers prefer this usage of "celibacy", while others use it interchangeably as a synonym for abstinence.
The old usage of this term ment "to have sexual intercourse only with one's wife".
See also:
