rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryasceticSelf-denial
adjective / noun

ascetic

uh-SET-ik/ʌsˈɛtɪk/

Practicing strict self-discipline and avoiding pleasure or comfort.

The ascetic woman chooses bread and water over the rich meal offered.

A woman in a deliberately austere prayer space turns away an available rich meal, choosing a small piece of plain bread and water beside her prayer beads and thin sleeping mat.
Etymology
ascetGreekathlete in training; monk
+icGreekrelating to

The Greek noun named an athlete in training before it named a monk. Athletic discipline supplied a model for controlling appetites and passions in pursuit of virtue, connecting training with spiritual self-denial.

In context

Cleave to Antiquity129:36
It's a very ascetic practice to eat just a bioengineered slop foods. Industrial waste.
Ultimate Refutation Of PSA | Fr Stephen De Young | Warren McGrew

More examples

  • She lives with almost ascetic simplicity.
  • The book describes several desert ascetics.
  • His ascetic habits leave little room for luxury.

Forms

ascetic · ascetics · more ascetic · most ascetic

Similar words

austere
Describes severe simplicity without necessarily intentional spiritual discipline.
abstinent
Avoids particular pleasures rather than an entire disciplined way of life.