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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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