spar ‧ tan /ˈspɑːtn $ -ɑːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: Spartan 'of Sparta' (16-21 centuries) , from Sparta city in ancient Greece whose people lived simply ]
spartan conditions or ways of living are simple and without any comfort:
spartan accommodation
a spartan existence
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ plain without anything added, or without decoration:
a plain shirt
|
The fireplace was plain apart from a small design at the top.
▪ simple not having a lot of decoration or unnecessary things, but attractive:
She was wearing a simple black dress.
|
The accommodation is simple but clean.
▪ austere very plain and with very little decoration, or very little in it – used about a room or place that does not make you feel welcome:
He dreaded having dinner in that austere dining room.
|
The building was grey and a little austere.
|
the austere beauty and grandeur of mountain scenery
▪ spartan plain and without anything that would make life easier or more comfortable – used especially about rooms, conditions, or ways of living:
Her apartment is quite spartan.
|
They had a very spartan life.
▪ stark very plain in a surprising way, with very little colour or decoration – used about rooms and places:
Sam sat looking at the stark white walls.
|
It is a landscape of stark beauty.
▪ bare empty, or not covered by any decorations:
Her office seemed very bare now that her desk had gone.
|
He was tired of looking at the bare walls of his prison cell.