Noah Webster
Ascetic
ASCET'IC, adjective [Gr. exercised, hardened; from to exercise.
Retired from the world; rigid; severe; austere; employed in devotions and mortifications.
ASCET'IC, noun
1. One who retires from the customary business of life, and devotes himself to the duties of piety and devotion; a hermit; a recluse.
2. The title of certain books, on devout exercises; as the ascetics of St. Basil.