austere
Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word austere. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word austere, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say austere in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word austere you have here. The definition of the word austere will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofaustere, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Austere
English
Etymology
From Ancient Greek αὐστηρός (austērós, “bitter, harsh”), having the specific meaning "making the tongue dry" (originally used of fruits, wines), related to αὔω (aúō, “to singe”), αὖος (aûos, “dry”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɒˈstɪə(ɹ)/, /ɔːˈstɪə(ɹ)/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ɔˈstiɹ/, enPR: ôstēr′
- (cot–caught merger) IPA(key): /ɑˈstiɹ/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)
Adjective
austere (comparative austerer or more austere, superlative austerest or most austere)
- Grim or severe in manner or appearance.
- The headmistress was an austere old woman.
- Synonyms: stern, strict, forbidding, ascetic
- Lacking decoration; trivial; not extravagant or gaudy.
- The interior of the church was as austere as the parishioners were dour.
- Synonyms: simple, plain, unadorned, unembellished
- Antonyms: overwrought, flamboyant, extravagant, gaudy, flashy
Derived terms
Translations
grim, stern, strict
|
not extravagant
|
Italian
Pronunciation
Adjective
austere
Latin
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /au̯sˈteː.re/,
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /au̯sˈte.re/,
Adjective
austēre
References
- “austere”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- “austere”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
Latvian
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) Perhaps related to Ancient Greek ὄστρεον (óstreon).
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Noun
austere f (5th declension)
- oyster (certain edible bivalve mollusks of the order Ostreida)
- austeru zveja ― oyster fishing
- rīt austeres ― to swallow oysters
- austeru lasītāji un lasītājas tur brida kailām kājām ― male and female oyster collectors were wading there (= in shallow water) barefoot
Declension
Declension of austere (5th declension)
| singular (vienskaitlis) | plural (daudzskaitlis) | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative (nominatīvs) | austere | austeres |
| accusative (akuzatīvs) | austeri | austeres |
| genitive (ģenitīvs) | austeres | austeru |
| dative (datīvs) | austerei | austerēm |
| instrumental (instrumentālis) | austeri | austerēm |
| locative (lokatīvs) | austerē | austerēs |
| vocative (vokatīvs) | austere | austeres |
Middle French
Etymology
Adjective
austere m or f (plural austeres)
Old French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Adjective
austere m (oblique and nominative feminine singular austere)