asceticism

英 [ə'setɪsɪz(ə)m] 美[ə'sɛtɪsɪzəm]

• n. 禁欲主义；苦行主义；苦行生活

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

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

3. rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint