BharatNotes Austerity
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
In the aftermath of the sovereign debt crisis, governments that embraced austerity to restore fiscal balance often discovered that deep cuts to welfare and capital expenditure depressed demand, deepened recession and eroded the very public trust on which credible consolidation depends.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
austere (adj), austerely (adv), austereness (n), austerities (n pl), non-austere (adj)
Root
Greek auos (dry) → austeros (harsh, bitter) → Latin austerus → Old French austerite → Late Latin austeritas.
Etymology
From Middle English, via Old French austerite and Late Latin austeritas, from Latin austerus 'severe, harsh', from Greek austeros 'making the tongue dry, harsh, bitter' (originally of taste), ultimately from auos 'dry'.
Memory Hook
Think of an "austere" monk: the root is Greek austeros, "harsh/dry" — like a dry, sour wine that puckers the tongue. Austerity is a life (or a budget) stripped dry of all luxury.
Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation
