/ ˈspɑːtn; NAmE ˈspɑːrtn/ adjective
( of conditions ) simple or severe; lacking anything that makes life easier or more pleasant
ORIGIN: From Sparta , a powerful city in ancient Greece, where the people were not interested in comfort or luxury.
OPP luxurious
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Spartan (I), because the inhabitants of Sparta were traditionally held to be indifferent to comfort or luxury.