Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Practicing great self-denial: Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
   • Pertaining to rigorous self-discipline: Relating to the principles, practices, or lifestyle of an ascetic.

2. Noun:

   • Someone who practices self-denial as a spiritual discipline: A person who leads an austerely simple life, refraining from worldly pleasures and comforts, often for religious or philosophical purposes.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • He followed an ascetic lifestyle, owning very few possessions.
  • The monk's ascetic practices included fasting and long hours of meditation.

• Noun:

  • The ascetic lived alone in a small cave in the mountains.
  • Many ancient philosophers were ascetics who believed simplicity led to wisdom.

Advanced Usage

• "Ascetic existence": A life marked by extreme simplicity and self-denial.

  • The hermit was known for his ascetic existence in the remote forest.

• "Ascetic ideal": A principle or goal that values self-discipline and renunciation above material comfort.

  • The philosophy was built upon the ascetic ideal of mastering one's desires.

Variants and Related Words

• Ascetical (adjective): An alternative form of the adjective 'ascetic'.

  • The ascetical traditions of the monastery are centuries old.

• Asceticism (noun): The doctrine or practice of severe self-discipline and abstention.

  • His asceticism was inspired by his deep religious convictions.

Synonyms

• Austere: Severely simple or strict.
• Abstemious: Sparing in consumption of food and drink.
• Spartan: Marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of comfort.

Related Phrases

• "Lead an ascetic life": To live with rigorous self-discipline and minimal comforts.
  • She chose to lead an ascetic life to focus entirely on her spiritual journey.

Related Idioms

• "Ascetic rigor": The strictness and severity associated with an ascetic lifestyle.
  • The training required ascetic rigor, with early mornings and simple meals.

Adjective

1. 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
2. pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline
   • ascetic practices

Noun

1. someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline