ascetic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
    abstainer.
  2. adjective pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline
    ascetical.
    • ascetic practices
  3. adjective satellite practicing great self-denial
    spartan; austere; ascetical.
    • Be systematically ascetic...do...something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it"- William James
    • a desert nomad's austere life
    • a spartan diet
    • a spartan existence

WordNet

As*cet"ic adjective
Etymology
Gr. , fr. to exercise, to practice gymnastics.
Definitions
  1. Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotions; austere; severe.
    The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline. Sir W. Scott.
As*cet"ic noun
Definitions
  1. In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse; hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in religious things.
    I am far from commending those ascetics that take up their quarters in deserts. Norris.

Webster 1913