## Meanings
1. Severe or stern in manner or appearance.
2. Plain and simple, without any decoration or comfort.
3. Practicing strict self-denial and avoiding pleasure or luxury.
4. Following a strict economic policy of cutting spending.

## Examples
- The headmistress was an austere old woman who rarely smiled.
- The interior of the church was austere, with bare stone walls and no ornament.
- He led an austere life, owning almost nothing and eating only plain food.
- The government adopted austere measures to reduce the national debt.

## Derived Forms
- austerely
- austereness
- austerity
- unaustere

## 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”).

## AI Etymology
Austere is 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”). Current senses include severe or stern in manner or appearance and plain and simple, without any decoration or comfort. The wider family includes derived forms such as austerely, austereness, austerity, and unaustere.

## Topics
- Emotions & Feelings

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austere

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