Definition of austere

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< austenite

austerity >

aus·tere

(ô-stîr

) KEY

ADJECTIVE:
aus·ter·er, aus·ter·est

Severe or stern in disposition or appearance; somber and grave: the austere figure of a Puritan minister.
Strict or severe in discipline; ascetic: a desert nomad's austere life.
Having no adornment or ornamentation; bare: an austere style. See Synonyms at severe.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin austrus, from Greek austros

OTHER FORMS:
aus·terely(Adverb), aus·tereness(Noun)

Thesaurus: synonyms for austere

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