In a stern, serious, and strict manner; without luxury, comfort, or decoration.
From Latin 'austerus' (harsh, stern) through Old French 'austere,' combined with the English adverbial suffix -ly. The original sense referred to harsh or sour taste before expanding to describe strict lifestyles.
Austere originally described sour wine! Roman drinkers used 'austerus' for harsh, sour wines, and the word gradually expanded to describe anything harsh—severe living conditions, strict judges, minimalist art. Language often starts with taste buds and grows outward.
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