austerity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A government policy of cutting public spending and raising taxes to reduce debt.

   Years of austerity left many public services badly underfunded.

2. 2
   noun

   Strictness or harshness in the way one lives or behaves.

   The monks were known for the austerity of their daily routine.

3. 3
   noun

   Plainness and lack of decoration; severe simplicity.

   The austerity of the building's design gave it a calm, dignified feel.

From Ancient Greek αὐστηρότης (austērótēs, “bitter, harsh”). Morphologically austere + -ity.

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