austerity

 
Pronunciation: /ɒˈstɛrɪti, ɔː-/

noun (plural austerities)

[mass noun]
  • 1sternness or severity of manner or attitude: he was noted for his austerity and his authoritarianism
  • plainness and simplicity in appearance: the room was decorated with a restraint bordering on austerity
  • [count noun] (usually austerities) a feature of an austere way of life: his uncle’s austerities had undermined his health
  • 2difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public expenditure: the country was subjected to acute economic austerity [count noun]: (austerities) the austerities of post-war London

Origin:

late Middle English: from French austérité, from Latin austeritas, from austerus 'severe' (see austere)