Meanings
- obsoleteuncountableTemperance movementThe practice of abstaining completely from the drinking of alcohol; teetotalism
Our Nephalism we seek to honour as a stepping-stone to the gospel[…
1862, James Miller, Nephalism, the true temperance of Scripture, science, and experience, page 1092 more examples
The medical profession is somewhat divided in its estimate of the comparative value of temperance and of nephalism in promoting the designs which we have in view.
1881 January 26, Bishop of Goulburn, quotee, “Church of England Temperance Society”, in Sydney Morning HeraldMay the Lord have mercy on the drunkards of Continental Europe, […] and reclaim them all through the initiatory labours of those who, by nephalism brought back to the practice of the Gospel, have thus been so wonderfully saved from utter ruin and desolation.
1881, Rev. M. de Colleville, “Alcoholic Intemperance in Continental States”, in The National Temperance League's Annual, page 45
Origin
- Ancient Greekνηφάλιος“sober”
- Englishnephalism
From Ancient Greek νηφάλιος (nēphálios, “sober”), from νήφω (nḗphō, “to be sober”).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
nephalism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nephalism
“nephalism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nephalism. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nephalism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nephalism.
Source: nephalism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.