austere

/ȯ-ˈstir/

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros harsh, severe; akin to Greek hauos dry

adjective

  1. stern and cold in appearance or manner

  2. somber, grave

  3. morally strict : ascetic

an austere Puritan

an austere critic

severe stern austere ascetic mean given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness. stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.