Asceticism
WordNet
noun
(1) Rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
(2) The trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
(3) The doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state
WiktionaryText
Noun
- The principles and practices of an ascetic; extreme self-denial and austerity.
Trivia
Asceticism was the winning word at the 5th Scripps National Spelling Bee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scripps_National_Spelling_Bee