Definitions for austerity
ɔˈstɛr ɪ tiaus·ter·i·ty

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. austerity, asceticism, nonindulgence(noun)

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

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. austerity(Noun)

   Severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline.

2. austerity(Noun)

   Freedom from adornment; plainness; severe simplicity.

3. austerity(Noun)

   A policy of deficit-cutting, lower spending, and a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided.

4. austerity(Noun)

   Sourness and harshness to the taste.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Austerity(noun)

   sourness and harshness to the taste

   Etymology: [F. austrit, L. austerias, fr. austerus. See Austere.]

2. Austerity(noun)

   severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline

   Etymology: [F. austrit, L. austerias, fr. austerus. See Austere.]

3. Austerity(noun)

   plainness; freedom from adornment; severe simplicity

   Etymology: [F. austrit, L. austerias, fr. austerus. See Austere.]

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Austerity

   In economics, austerity describes policies used by governments to reduce budget deficits during adverse economic conditions. These policies can include spending cuts, tax increases, or a mixture of the two. Austerity policies may be attempts to demonstrate governments' liquidity to their creditors and credit rating agencies by bringing fiscal income closer to expenditure. In macroeconomics, reducing government spending generally increases unemployment. This increases safety net spending and reduces tax revenues, to some extent. Government spending contributes to gross domestic product, so the debt-to-GDP ratio which signifies liquidity may not immediately improve. Short-term deficit spending particularly contributes to GDP growth when consumers and businesses are unwilling or unable to spend. Under the controversial theory of expansionary fiscal contraction, a major reduction in government spending can change future expectations about taxes and government spending, encouraging private consumption and resulting in overall economic expansion. Initial austerity results in Europe have been as predicted by macroeconomics, with unemployment rising to record levels and debt to GDP ratios rising, despite reductions in budget deficits relative to GDP. Eurostat reported that Euro area unemployment reached record levels in March 2013 at 12.1%, up from up from 11.0% in March 2012 and 10.3% in March 2011; and that the debt to GDP ratio for the 17 Euro area countries together was 70.1% in 2008, 80.0% in 2009, 85.4% in 2010, 87.3% in 2011 and 90.6% in 2012. Further, real GDP in the EA17 declined for six straight quarters from Q4 2011 to Q1 2013. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimated in August 2012 that if the U.S. implemented moderate austerity measures, the unemployment rate would rise by over 1% and economic growth would be significantly reduced in 2013. The U.S. partially avoided the "fiscal cliff" through the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. U.S. unemployment has fallen steadily from a peak of 10% in early 2010 to 7.6% by March 2013.

How to pronounce austerity?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say austerity in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of austerity in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of austerity in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of austerity in a Sentence

1. Joseph Webb:

   For me, it's too distracting from the solemnity, the austerity that I want to experience on my own.

2. Angela Wright:

   Gray is the color of austerity, and we're going to keep wearing gray until we feel better financially.

3. Katerina Sarri:

   I voted ‘No’ to austerity; I want this torture to end.

4. Melissa Mark-Viverito:

   Austerity is not the solution, the solution to this crisis cannot be at the expense of the working class and the most vulnerable.

5. Pablo Iglesias:

   The austerity policies are taking us closer to chaos and we can do things better than what has been done.

Images & Illustrations of austerity

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