austere

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Grim or severe in manner or appearance.

   The headmistress was an austere old woman.

2. 2
   adj

   Lacking decoration; trivial; not extravagant or gaudy.

   The interior of the church was as austere as the parishioners were dour.

3. 3
   adj

   Adhering to the economic policy of austerity.

   Counterintuitively, in an effort to be austere and save money, cities which only remove a crossing every couple of years manage to be way less efficient at it than Melbourne has been.

4. 4
   adj

   Harsh; astringent.

   It is like a small plum, nearly globular in shape, black covered with a bluish bloom, and with a very austere taste.

5. 5
   adj

   practicing great self-denial

6. 6
   adj

   of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor

7. 7
   adj

   severely simple

Etymology

From Ancient Greek αὐστηρός (austērós, “bitter, harsh, astringent”), having the specific meaning “making the tongue dry” (originally used of fruits, wines), related to αὔω (aúō, “to singe”), αὖος (aûos, “dry”).