austerity
/ɒˈsterətɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)［mass noun］
1- sternness or severity of manner or attitude严格; 严厉：
he was noted for his austerity and his authoritarianism.
他以严厉和专制著称。
1.1
- extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance朴素; 朴实; 简陋：
the room was decorated with a restraint bordering on austerity.
房间装饰几近简陋。
1.2
austerities
conditions characterized by severity, sternness, or asceticism艰苦生活; 禁欲生活：his uncle's austerities had undermined his health
他叔叔节衣缩食的生活把身体搞垮了
mass noun the simple life of prayer and personal austerity.由祈祷和个人禁欲构成的简单生活。
1.3
- difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce a budget deficit, especially by reducing public expenditure（政府开支的）紧缩, 缩减：
a period of austerity
经济紧缩时期
as modifier austerity measures.缩减开支的措施。
词源
late Middle English: from French austérité, from Latin austeritas, from austerus 'severe' （see AUSTERE）.