English

Noun

nephalism ‎(uncountable)

1. (obsolete, Temperance movement) The practice of abstaining completely from the drinking of alcohol; teetotalism
   • 1862, James Miller, Nephalism, the true temperance of Scripture, science, and experience, page 109:

     Our Nephalism we seek to honour as a stepping-stone to the gospel [<span title="; as a humble but useful means, under God's blessing, of helping " to exalt the valley and make low the mountain and hill; to make the crooked straight, and the rough places plain; to prepare the way of the Lord, making straight iu the desert a highway for our God; that the glory of the Lord may be revealed, and all flesh may see it together."">…]

   • 1881, January 26, quoting Bishop of Goulburn, Church of England Temperance Society:

     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, Rev. M. de Colleville, “Alcoholic Intemperance in Continental States”, in The National Temperance League's Annual, page 45:

     May 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.

Related terms

• nephalist

References

• OED 2nd edition 1989