Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ascetic \As*cet"ic\a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to exercise, to practice
   gymnastics.]
   Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotions; austere;
   severe.

         The stern ascetic rigor of the Temple discipline. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.

Ascetic \As*cet"ic\, n.
   In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary
   and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme
   self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse;
   hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in
   religious things.

         I am far from commending those ascetics that take up
         their quarters in deserts.               --Norris.

   {Ascetic theology}, the science which treats of the practice
      of the theological and moral virtues, and the counsels of
      perfection. --Am. Cyc.

Source : WordNet®

ascetic
     n : practices self denial as spiritual discipline [syn: {abstainer}]

ascetic
     adj 1: pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the
            practice of rigorous self-discipline; "ascetic
            practices" [syn: {ascetical}]
     2: practicing great self-denial; "Be systematically
        ascetic...do...something for no other reason than that you
        would rather not do it"- William James; "a desert nomad's
        austere life"; "a spartan diet"; "a spartan existence"
        [syn: {ascetical}, {austere}, {spartan}]