1. Rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
   "The monk's life of asceticism included fasting and meditation";
   - ascesis, askesis
    
2. The trait of great self-denial, especially refraining from worldly pleasures
   "a new budget of unaccustomed asceticism";
   - austerity, nonindulgence
    
3. The doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state
   "The monk's asceticism involved fasting and meditation"

Derived forms: asceticisms

Type of: doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, self-control, self-denial, self-discipline

Encyclopedia: Asceticism