austerity

noun (plural austerities)

• 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