Austere
WordNet
adjective
(1) Practicing great self-denial
"Be systematically ascetic...do...something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it"- William James
"A desert nomad's austere life"
"A spartan diet"
"A spartan existence"
(2) Of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
"An austere expression"
"A stern face"
(3) Severely simple
"A stark interior"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , from , having the specific meaning "making the tongue dry" (originally used of fruits, wines), related to , .
Adjective
- Grim or severe in manner or appearance
- The headmistress was an austere old woman.
- Lacking trivial decoration; not extravagant or gaudy
- The interior of the church was as austere as the parishioners were dour.