adj.
Pronunciation: o ̇ - ' stir also - ' ster
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin austerus, from Greek aust ē ros harsh, severe; akin to Greek hauos dry ― more at SERE
Date: 14th century
1 a : stern and cold in appearance or manner b : SOMBER , GRAVE <an austere critic>
2 : morally strict : ASCETIC
3 : markedly simple or unadorned <an austere office> <an austere style of writing>
4 : giving little or no scope for pleasure < austere diets>
5 of a wine : having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usually indicating a capacity for aging
synonyms see SEVERE
– aus · tere · ly adverb
– aus · tere · ness noun