Hypertext Webster Gateway: "ascetic"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ascetic \As*cet"ic\a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to exercise, to practice
gymnastics.]
Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotions; austere;
severe.
The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline. --Sir
W. Scott.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ascetic \As*cet"ic\, n.
In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary
and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme
self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse;
hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in
religious things.
I am far from commending those ascetics that take up
their quarters in deserts. --Norris.
{Ascetic theology}, the science which treats of the practice
of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of
perfection. --Am. Cyc.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
ascetic
adj 1: pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic; "ascetic
practices" [syn: {ascetical}]
2: 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"
[syn: {ascetical}, {austere}, {spartan}]
n : practices self denial as spiritual discipline [syn: {abstainer}]
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