austere Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite severely simple
    severe; stark; stern.
    • a stark interior
  2. adjective satellite of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
    stern.
    • an austere expression
    • a stern face
  3. adjective satellite practicing great self-denial
    spartan; ascetical; ascetic.
    • 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

Aus*tere"
Etymology
F. austère, L. austerus, fr. Gr. , fr. to parch, dry. Cf. Sear.
Definitions
  1. Sour and astringent; rough to the state; having acerbity; as, an austere crab apple; austere wine.
  2. Severe in modes of judging, or living, or acting; rigid; rigorous; stern; as, an austere man, look, life.
    From whom the austere Etrurian virtue rose. Dryden.
  3. Unadorned; unembellished; severely simple. Syn. -- Harsh; sour; rough; rigid; stern; severe; rigorous; strict.

Webster 1913