(ˈ)ȯ|sti(ə)r, -iə adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros; akin to Greek hauein to parch, dry — more at sere
1.
a. : stern and cold in appearance or manner
austere Puritans
b. : marked by gravity and seriousness : unsmiling
the most austere of critics — Virginia Woolf
2. : rigidly self-disciplined and morally strict : ascetic
an austere old hermit
3. : astringent to the taste and marked by sourness or bitterness
a dry white wine with enough body so as never to seem austere
4. : plainly simple and unadorned : unembellished
an austere office
an austere style of writing
5. : giving little or no scope for pleasure or indulgence
an austere meal
austere diets
an austere budget
Synonyms: see severe