austere

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 2 Italian 2.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old French, from Latin austērus (“‘dry, harsh, sour, tart’”), from Ancient Greek αὐστηρός (austēros), “‘bitter, harsh’”), having the specific meaning "making the tongue dry" (originally used of fruits, wines), related to αὔω (auō), “‘to singe’”), αὖος (auos), “‘dry’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP): IPA: /ɒstɪə(ɹ)/ or IPA: /ɔːstɪə(ɹ)/
• (US): IPA: /ɔˈstijɹ/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɪə(r)

[edit] Adjective

austere (comparative austerer or more austere, superlative austerest or most austere)

1. Grim or severe in manner or appearance

   The headmistress was an austere old woman.

2. Lacking trivial decoration; not extravagant or gaudy

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

[edit] Synonyms

• (grim or severe): stern, strict; forbidding
• (lacking trivial decoration): simple, plain; unadorned, unembellished

[edit] Antonyms

• (not lacking trivial decoration): overwrought, flamboyant; extravagant; gaudy, flashy

[edit] Derived terms

• austerity
• austerely

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

austere pl.

1. Feminine form of austero.