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n. The principles and practices of an ascetic; extreme self-denial and austerity.

n. The doctrine that the ascetic life releases the soul from bondage to the body and permits union with the divine.

n. The principles and practices of an ascetic; extreme self-denial and austerity.

n. The condition, practice, or mode of life, of ascetics.

n. The life or practice of an ascetic; the principles and historic course of the ascetics.

n. In theology, the theory or systematic exposition of the means, whether negative, as self-denial and abstinence, or positive, as the exercise of natural and Christian virtues, by which a complete conformity with the divine will may be attained. See ascetical theology, under ascetical.

n. the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)

n. the doctrine that through renunciation of worldly pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state

n. rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint

"The word asceticism comes from the Greek askesis which means practice, bodily exercise, and more especially, atheletic training."

self-gratification    hedonism   

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

ascetical    ascetically    ascetic   

austerity    abstemiousness    yoga    yogism   

celibacy    abstinence    austerity    self-discipline    chastity    renunciation    penance    self-sacrifice    frugality    piety