Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - spartan

 I. noun  Date: 15th century  1. a native or inhabitant of ancient Sparta  2. a person of great courage and self-discipline  • ~ism noun  II. adjective  Date: 1561  1. of or relating to Sparta in ancient Greece  2.  a. often not capitalized marked by strict self-discipline or self-denial a ~ athlete  b. often not capitalized marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort a ~ room  c. laconic  d. undaunted by pain or danger  • ~ly adverb