Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Latin
Origin: austerus, from Greek austeros 'severe'

austere

 adjective
     
aus‧tere
1 plain and simple and without any decoration:
the church's austere simplicity
2 someone who is austere is very strict and serious - used to show disapproval:
Her father is a very austere man.
3 an austere way of life is very simple and has few things to make it comfortable or enjoyable:
Cuthbert led an austere life of prayer and solitude.
—austerely adverb
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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