I. əˈsed.ik, aˈ-, -etik adjective
also as·cet·i·cal -ə̇kəl, -ēk-
Etymology: Greek askētikos, literally, laborious, from askētēs one that exercises, hermit (from askein to work, exercise) + -ikos -ic, -ical
1. : extremely strict in religious exercises : religiously austere
the monastic profession was then a little more than a vow of celibacy and his devotion took no ascetic turn — J.R.Green
2. : refraining from self-indulgence : self-denying , self-disciplined , austere
the severely ascetic life and cold personality of the celebrated scholar — Dorothy C. Fisher
Synonyms: see severe
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : one who devotes himself to a life of solitude and contemplation and practices such methods of self-discipline as celibacy, fasting, and self-mortification
the desert was often the abode of the ascetics
b. : one who is rigorously strict in religious exercises
his predecessor, Ignatius, a zealous and devout ascetic … allowed himself to be used by the extremists — R.M.French
2. : one who leads a life of self-denial, rigorous self-discipline, or austerity
he is no ascetic — he loves food and drink and friendly talk — Katherine Simonds