Definition of: ascetic

(ə·set′ik) noun
1. Originally, in the early church, one who renounced social life and comfort for solitude, self-mortification, and religious devotion; a hermit; recluse.
2. Hence, one who leads a very austere and self-denying life.
—adjective Given to severe self-denial and austerity; practicing rigid abstinence and devotion. Also as·cet′i·cal. [<Gk. askētikos exercised, industrious, athletic <askētēs one who exercises (self-denial), a monk <askeein exercise]
—as·cet′i·cal·ly adverb