/aw ster"i tee/ , n. , pl. austerities .
1. austere quality; severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness.
2. Usually, austerities . ascetic practices: austerities of monastery life.
3. strict economy.
[ 1300-50; ME austerite austerite austeritas. See AUSTERE, -ITY ]
Syn. 1. harshness, strictness, asceticism, rigor. 2. See hardship .
Ant. 1. leniency.