
(in the early Christian church) a monk; hermit.
adjective Also, ascetical.
pertaining to asceticism.
rigorously abstinent; austere: an ascetic existence.
exceedingly strict or severe in religious exercises or self-mortification.

1640–50; < Greek askētikós subject to rigorous exercise, hardworking, equivalent to askē- (see askesis) + -tikos -tic

ascetically, adverb
nonascetic, noun, adjective
nonascetical, adjective
nonascetically, adverb
preascetic, adjective
pseudoascetic, adjective
pseudoascetical, adjective
pseudoascetically, adverb
unascetic, adjective
unascetically, adverb

acetic, aesthetic, ascetic.

3. anchorite, recluse; cenobite. 5. strict, frugal, plain. 6. fanatic.

5. self-indulgent. Unabridged
Cite This Source Link To ascetic
World English Dictionary
ascetic (əˈsɛtɪk)
2.  (in the early Christian Church) a monk
3.  rigidly abstinent or abstemious; austere
4.  of or relating to ascetics or asceticism
5.  intensely rigorous in religious austerities
[C17: from Greek askētikos, from askētēs, from askein to exercise]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

1640s, from Gk. asketikos "rigorously self-disciplined," from asketes "monk, hermit," from askein "to exercise, train," originally "to train for athletic competition, practice gymnastics, exercise." The noun meaning "one of the early Christians who retired to the desert to live solitary lives of meditation
and prayer" is from 1670s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
But it wasn't exactly an ascetic life.
His policies had failed, but people admired his sincerity and his ascetic life.
It's just that its aesthetic is more ascetic, thinner.
He can appear ascetic and stiff.
Copyright © 2014, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature