severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]
See synonyms for severity on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural se·ver·i·ties.
  1. harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.

  2. austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste: The severity of the decor was striking.

  1. intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.

  2. grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

  3. rigid exactness or accuracy.

  4. an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

Origin of severity

1
First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin sevēritās, from sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity

Other words from severity

  • non·se·ver·i·ty, noun, plural non·se·ver·i·ties.
  • o·ver·se·ver·i·ty, noun
  • su·per·se·ver·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024