Both Uses of
austere
in
Bleak House
- I had more than once approached this subject of my thoughts with Mrs. Rachael, our only servant, who took my light away when I was in bed (another very good woman, but austere to me), and she had only said, "Esther, good night!" and gone away and left me.†
Chpt 1-3
- "I call her Esther Summerson," says Mrs. Chadband with austerity.†
Chpt 19-21 *
Definition:
-
(austere) a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration
or:
of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial