noun
1. the doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state
• Hypernyms: ↑doctrine, ↑philosophy, ↑philosophical system, ↑school of thought, ↑ism
2. the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
• Syn: ↑austerity, ↑nonindulgence
• Derivationally related forms: ↑nonindulgent (for: ↑nonindulgence), ↑austere (for: ↑austerity)
• Hypernyms: ↑self-discipline, ↑self-denial
• Hyponyms: ↑monasticism
3. rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
• Syn: ↑ascesis
• Hypernyms: ↑self-denial, ↑self-discipline, ↑self-control
Useful english dictionary. 2012.