n.; pl.Austerities [ F. austérité, L. austerias, fr. austerus. See Austere. ] 1. Sourness and harshness to the taste. [ Obs. ] Horsley. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline. [ 1913 Webster ]
The austerity of John the Baptist. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Plainness; freedom from adornment; severe simplicity. [ 1913 Webster ]
Partly owing to the studied austerity of her dress, and partly to the lack of demonstration in her manners. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]