definition of
austere

[1] #1 austere s. [stern] of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect; "an austere expression"; "a stern face". wn

[2] #2 austere s. [ascetic, ascetical, spartan] practicing great self-denial; "Be systematically ascetic...do...something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it"- William James; "a desert nomad's austere life"; "a spartan diet"; "a spartan existence". wn