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austerity

 - 2 dictionary results

aus⋅ter⋅i⋅ty

  [aw-ster-i-tee]
Use austerity in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. austere quality; severity of manner, life, etc.; sternness.
2. Usually, austerities. ascetic practices: austerities of monastery life.
3. strict economy.
Origin:
1300–50; ME austerite < AF, OF austerite < L austēritās. See austere, -ity

Synonyms:
1. harshness, strictness, asceticism, rigor. 2. See hardship.

Antonyms:
1. leniency.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To austerity
aus·ter·i·ty   (ô-stěr'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. aus·ter·i·ties

  1. The quality of being austere.

  2. Severe and rigid economy: wartime austerity.

  3. An austere habit or practice.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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