austerity |ôˈsteritē|noun ( pl. -ties)sternness or severity of manner or attitude : he was noted for his austerity and his authoritarianism.• extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance : the room was decorated with a restraint bordering on austerity.• ( austerities) conditions characterized by severity, sternness, or asceticism : his austerities had undermined his health | the simple life of prayer and personal austerity.• difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce a budget deficit, esp. by reducing public expenditure : a period of austerity | [as adj. ] austerity measures.ORIGIN late Middle English : from French austérité, from Latin austeritas, from austerus ‘severe’(see austere ).
