ASCETIC


Meaning of ASCETIC in English

— ascetically , adv.

/euh set"ik/ , n.

1. a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.

2. a person who leads an austerely simple life, esp. one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself material satisfaction.

3. (in the early Christian church) a monk; hermit.

adj. Also, ascetical .

4. pertaining to asceticism.

5. rigorously abstinent; austere: an ascetic existence.

6. exceedingly strict or severe in religious exercises or self-mortification.

[ 1640-50; asketikós subject to rigorous exercise, hardworking, equiv. to aske- (see ASKESIS) + -tikos -TIC ]

Syn. 3. anchorite, recluse; cenobite. 5. strict, frugal, plain. 6. fanatic.

Ant. 5. self-indulgent.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .