ȯˈsterəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English austerite, from Middle French austerité, from Latin austeritat-, austeritas, from austerus + -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : the quality or state of being austere : severity , sternness , rigor
2.
a. : an austere act, manner, or attitude
b. : an ascetic practice
early Christian austerities
3. : lack of luxuries : enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale
live on an austerity diet