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asceticism

[ uh-set-uh-siz-uhm ]
/ əˈsɛt əˌsɪz əm /
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noun
the manner of life, practices, or principles of an ascetic.
the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity.
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Origin of asceticism

First recorded in 1640–50; ascetic + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM asceticism

non·as·cet·i·cism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use asceticism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for asceticism

asceticism
/ (əˈsɛtɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun
the behaviour, discipline, or outlook of an ascetic, esp of a religious ascetic
the principles of ascetic practices, esp in the early Christian Church
the theory and system of ascetic practices
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for asceticism

asceticism
[ (uh-set-uh-siz-uhm) ]

An austere, simple way of life in which persons renounce material pleasures and devote their energy to moral or religious purpose.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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