Word Finder - austere

definition

Grim or severe in manner or appearance

example

The headmistress was an austere old woman.

definition

Lacking decoration; trivial; not extravagant or gaudy

example

The interior of the church was as austere as the parishioners were dour.

The Sanctuary was plain to the point of austere, with no luxuries.

Brady had conducted many missions in austere conditions in other countries.

He betook himself at first to Port Royal, and began to live a recluse and austere life there.

Clare wanted to keep a slightly austere working-class look to the house.

Richard Shackleton was endowed with a grave, pure and tranquil nature, constant and austere, yet not without those gentle elements that often redeem the drier qualities of his religious persuasion.

At best they fit a very austere conception of what it is to be human.

Personally Daunou was reserved and somewhat austere, preserving in his habits a strange mixture of bourgeois and monk.

Some gods, particularly Indra, are said to have won divine rank by " austere fervour " and asceticism, which is one of the processes that makes gods out of mortals even now in India. ?

Lower impact and a smaller environmental footprint doesn't mean austere.

He spent himself in apostolic works and practiced austere mortification.

The austere simplicity of the ritual which Farel had introduced, and to which Calvin had conformed; the strictness with which the ministers sought to enforce not only the laws of morality, but certain sumptuary regulations respecting the dress and mode of living of the citizens; and their determination in spiritual matters and ecclesiastical ceremonies not to submit to the least dictation from the civil power, led to violent dissensions.

Whom have you got there dressed up as a Hungarian? said the commander with an austere gibe.

The yellow hues softened the austere whiteness, offering an air of antiquity and warmth.

But although the use of the potters wheel had long been understood, the objects produced were simple utensils tc contain offerings of rice, fruit and fish at the austere ceremonials of the Shinto faith, jars for storing seeds, and vessels for commor domestic use.

He remained an austere republican, refusing to take part in the Napoleonic regime.

But, austere and unattractive though these valleys are, the same epithets cannot be applied to the deep gorges by which in most cases the streams make their escape through the northern subsidiary range.

The father submitted to them Heih's application, saying that, though he was old and austere, he was of most illustrious descent, and they need have no misgivings about him.

But his austere life and commanding personality made him an effective teacher, and his influence, kept alive by his pupils Polemon and Crates, ceased only when Arcesilaus, the founder of the so-called Second Academy, gave a new direction to the studies of the school.

Any injury done to the "souls" being one of the worst of iniquities, the good monk should not wash his clothes (indeed, the most austere will reject clothes altogether), nor even wash his teeth, for fear of injuring living things.

The austere dignity of Antiphon, the plain elegance of Lysias, the smooth and balanced finish of that middle or normal character which is represented by Isocrates, have come together in Demosthenes.

In reality, he was a prince of wide knowledge and culture, knowing several languages and austere in morals; and although he cannot be acquitted of occasional harshness, he had the secret of winning the hearts of his subjects, who never refused him their support in times of difficulty.

The sect gradually died out after losing the protection of the common people, whose sympathy was now transferred to the austere Observants and their miracle-worker Capistrano.

This was doubtless much more to the prevailing, somewhat austere, neoclassical taste.

Taken with the cinematography, haunting soundtrack and stunning landscapes, the film has am austere, otherworldly air.

Her own life was by choice, and as far as her position would admit, one of almost austere simplicity and homeliness; and her subjects were proud of a royalty which involved none of the mischiefs of caprice or ostentation, but set an example alike of motherly sympathy and of queenly dignity.

And, thou wicked and slothful servant, who sayest, ' He is an austere master, ' shalt be confounded for ever.

Rather, there was a flinty, somewhat austere structure giving support and contrast to rich, unctuous fruit.

The austere look of Zen gardens can be achieved at larger scales in the home landscape.

Astringent wines are often described as austere mellow as they age.

A wine that is described as "austere" is a wine with crisp, but harsh flavor characteristics.

Austere wines are generally young wines with high acids, tannins or both.

Comments of "Britney Spears Syndrome" and "Vanessa Hudgens-style stunt" peppered the nightly newscasts of even the most austere and respected journalists.

Shoe fashionistas with a serious shopping need and an equally austere budget often have a difficult time keeping up with the latest trends.

The red crystal face creates an austere contrast against the stainless steel casing and ring.

Their eye-catching gleam and classic black details make these sleek and austere, yet sublimely elegant watches perfect for any occasion.

The elegant, austere tower sits alone with no messy cables buttons to mar its appearance yet it yields professional sound quality for the radio or your favorite audio files.

The diamond studded bezel and mother of pearl dial will put a twinkle in your eye, while the white leather strap whispers beguilingly of pure, austere beauty.

Another company that has enjoyed success across more than one era, Movado prides itself on creating distinctive watches in a largely austere style.

A mysterious conversion had been effected in him by an austere Cistercian abbot.

But after a few years he underwent a complete change of life, and in 1662 he retired to his abbey of La Trappe, of which he became regular abbot in 1664 and introduced an austere reform (see Trappists).

The superficial, brilliant, pseudo-scientific Catholicism of the capital did not satisfy Renan, who had accepted the austere faith of his Breton masters.

From the first he was carefully nurtured to be the future prop of Protestantism by his austere parents.

All this decoration is in strange contrast with the grandly austere simplicity of the facade and outer walls of the church.

Fixtures and fittings are a little austere, but carefully designed.

The effect seems austere, then revelatory, succinct in its hints or physical signals.

He brings to life Barrie's idea that society has become far too austere, and no longer believes in the fantastical.

In the depth of winter the view is framed by the austere cliffs with long icicles glistening in the cold winter light.

Later artists parodied the excesses, producing religious kitsch loathsome to the austere Protestant ethic.

Trained as he had been to the study of marbles and the severity of the antique, and openly avowing that he considered the antique superior to nature as being more eclectic in form, he now and always affected precision of outline, dignity of idea and of figure, and he thus tended towards rigidity, and to an austere wholeness rather than gracious sensitiveness of expression.

The lasting sadness that thus early overshadowed him tended to facilitate his acceptance of the austere teaching of the Oxford Tracts; and though he was never an acknowledged disciple of Newman, it was due to the latter's influence that from this date his theology assumed an increasingly High Church character, and his printed sermon on the "Rule of Faith" was taken as a public profession of his alliance with the Tractarians.