In the early days of Christianity the exercise of chastity was frequently combined with a close and romantic intimacy of affection between the sexes which shocked austere moralists.

In masks outrageous and austere The years go by in single file But none has merited my fear And none has quite escaped my smile.

Strong advocacy for education health care and worker safety will be indispensable if they are to get their fair share of President Bush's austere budget for the next fiscal year.

The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor upon the business known as gambling.