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Adjective: austere (austerer,austerest)  o'steer [N. Amer], ó'steer or o'steer [Brit]
  1. Very plain, appearing grim and minimally functional
    - severe, stark, stern
     
  2. Of a stern or strict bearing or demeanour; forbidding in aspect
    "an austere expression";
    - stern
     
  3. Practising great self-denial
    "a desert nomad's austere life";
    - ascetic, ascetical, spartan

Derived forms: austerest, austerer

See also: abstemious, nonindulgent, plain, strict

Encyclopedia: Austere