[aus.tere] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L austerus, fr. Gk austeros harsh, severe; akin to Gk hauos dry--more at sere] (14c) 1 a: stern and cold in appearance or manner b: somber, grave "an ~ critic"
2: morally strict: ascetic
3: markedly simple or unadorned "an ~ office" "an ~ style of writing"
4: giving little or no scope for pleasure "~ diets"
5. of a wine: having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant over fruit flavors usu. indicating a capacity for aging syn see severe -- aus.tere.ly adv -- aus.tere.ness n