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1. The doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state
    
2. The trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
   "a new budget of unaccustomed asceticism";
   - austerity, nonindulgence
    
3. Rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
   - ascesis, askesis

Derived forms: asceticisms

Type of: doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, self-control, self-denial, self-discipline

Encyclopedia: Asceticism