austero
austere, stern
adjective ows-TEH-roh Rare
Origin: From Greek austeros (harsh, dry), via Latin austerus.
Also means
plain, severe
Usage Note
Austero agrees in gender and number: austera, austeri, austere. It describes both people (un uomo austero — a stern man) and objects or policies (misure austere — austerity measures). The abstract noun is austerità, well known in European economic debate.
Examples
"Il professore aveva un aspetto austero."
Natural Translation
The professor had a stern appearance.
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