ascetic

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
  2. adjective pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline
  3. adjective practicing great self-denial; - William James

Etymology

First use appears c. 1646. From Medieval Latin asceticus, from Ancient Greek ἀσκητικός (askētikós), from ἀσκητής (askētḗs, “monk, hermit”), from ἀσκέω (askéō, “to exercise”).

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