Austere \Aus*tere"\, [F. aust[`e]re, L. austerus, fr. Gr. ?, fr.
? to parch, dry. Cf. Sear.]
1. Sour and astringent; rough to the state; having acerbity;
as, an austere crab apple; austere wine.
2. Severe in modes of judging, or living, or acting; rigid;
rigorous; stern; as, an austere man, look, life.
From whom the austere Etrurian virtue rose.
--Dryden.
3. Unadorned; unembellished; severely simple.
Syn: Harsh; sour; rough; rigid; stern; severe; rigorous;
strict.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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