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ascetic

/əˈsɛ.tɪk/
Meanings
  • noun

    A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention, especially in order to pursue religious goals.

    - "The ascetic lived in a cave and denied himself all earthly pleasures."
    - "The ascetic's devotion to his faith was an inspiration to all who knew him."
  • adjective

    Relating to or characterized by asceticism.

    - "The ascetic monk wore a simple brown robe and ate only once a day."
    - "The ascetic lifestyle was not for everyone; many found it too harsh."
Synonyms

abstinent , ascetical , ascetical
Rhymes
Words rhyming with ascetic
esprit , retreat
Variants
List of all variants of ascetic that leads to same result
ascetic , ascetical , ascetically , ascetics
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Greek word asketes, meaning 'retired person' or 'man of leisure.' Later, it came to be used specifically for those who practiced severe self-discipline and abstention, especially for religious reasons.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The longest recorded period of continuous fasting by an ascetic is believed to be 382 days, set by a monk named Lukas Verheijen.

  2. In some Buddhist traditions, ascetics are called 'bhikkus' or 'bhikkhunis', meaning 'beggars' or 'wandering mendicants'.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. monasticism: A religious or spiritual tradition based on the communal living and worship of a group of people, often under the authority of a superior.

  2. mortification: The deliberate infliction of pain or hardship on oneself as a means of spiritual discipline or penance.

Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities

  1. By Hollywood standards, Calley's career path may seem enigmatic, but then, so is his personality. If Mark Canton, the previous Sony president, was the boastful, Armani-clad big spender, Calley is downright "ascetic", a man who disdains Hollywood profligacy.

    - Peter Bart,{it}GQ{/it},August 1997

  2. Patterson's collection begins on the walls of the stairway to his basement. "That's where Cindy draws the line. That's probably a real good idea," he says. Mattsson, "ascetic" for a bachelor, imposes the same rule on himself. LeBeau, who has never been married, is much less restrained.

    - Tom Harpole,{it}Air & Space{/it},December 1999/January 2000

  3. He converted to Catholicism and, after a long period of intense self-questioning, became a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, which, at the time, was as "ascetic" and demanding as any monastery of the Middle Ages.

    - Julius Lester,{it}Falling Pieces of the Broken Sky{/it},1990
Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Asceticism has been practiced throughout history in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It is often associated with renunciation of material possessions and worldly pleasures, and is seen as a way to focus the mind on spiritual pursuits. In literature, asceticism is a common theme in works such as St. John of the Cross's 'Dark Night of the Soul' and Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov'. In art, ascetic figures are often depicted in religious icons and paintings.

How to Memorize "ascetic"

  1. visualize

    - To visualize an ascetic, imagine a person dressed in simple, rough clothing, living in a solitary place, and dedicating their life to spiritual pursuits.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'ascetic' with the idea of self-denial and spiritual discipline.

  3. mnemonics

    - To remember the meaning of 'ascetic', think of the word 'self-discipline' or 'spiritual renunciation'.

🧠 Bonus Tips

To help you remember the word 'ascetic', follow these practical tricks with steps:

1. Associate the word with its meaning: An ascetic is a person who leads a very simple life, often withdrawing from the world to live a life of solitude, self-discipline, and meditation. Imagine a solitary figure in a simple robe, meditating in a quiet, secluded place.

2. Break down the word: The word 'ascetic' can be broken down into 'a-sec-tic'. The prefix 'a-' means 'not' or 'without', while 'sec' can be associated with 'secular' or 'worldly' things. So, an ascetic is someone who lives 'without secular or worldly things'.

3. Create a memorable phrase: You can create a memorable phrase using the word 'ascetic', such as 'An ascetic eats simple, taken-in cuisine'. This phrase not only helps you remember the spelling and meaning of 'ascetic', but also reinforces the idea of a simple lifestyle.

4. Use the word in a sentence: Try using the word 'ascetic' in a sentence, such as 'The ascetic monk lived a life of solitude in the mountains'. Practicing using the word in different contexts can help you remember it better.

5. Review and practice: Finally, review the word and its meaning regularly, and practice using it in different contexts. The more you use the word, the more likely you are to remember it.

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