Middle English Dictionary Entry
austeritẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | austeritẹ̄ n. Also austernete. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Harshness, sternness; (b) of monastic discipline: rigor, severity.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)5376 : For þe gret austerite, Þat Crist sal shew þat day to se Agayn þe synful men.
- a1500(c1380) Wycl.Papa (Ryl Eng 86)473 : Þis shulden þey do bi meke wille, & leeue lordchip & austernete.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)147/18 : His frendis..said vnto hym þat he myght not suffer þe austeritie of his ordur.