rigor

especially British, rig·our

[rig-er]

noun

1. strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.

   Synonyms: stringency, inflexibility

2. the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.

3. severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity.

   the rigor of wartime existence.

4. a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.

   Synonyms: cruelty

5. scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence.

   the logical rigor of mathematics.

6. severity of weather or climate or an instance of this.

   the rigors of winter.

7. Pathology.,  a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.

8. Physiology.,  a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.

9. Obsolete.,  stiffness or rigidity.

rigor

/ ˈraɪɡɔː, ˈrɪɡə /

noun

1. med a sudden feeling of chilliness, often accompanied by shivering: it sometimes precedes a fever

2. pathol rigidity of a muscle; muscular cramp

3. a state of rigidity assumed by some animals in reaction to sudden shock

4. the inertia assumed by some plants in conditions unfavourable to growth

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigor¹

1350–1400; Middle English rigour < Latin rigor stiffness, equivalent to rig ( ēre ) to be stiff + -or -or ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rigor¹

see _rigour

Example Sentences

Bettag noted that even though former Paramount majority shareholder Shari Redstone was updated on “60 Minutes” stories amid the legal battle earlier this year, he believes the program retained its editorial rigor and independence.

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Dressed in all-white formalwear, the band took care to show how much compositional rigor went into this album’s laid-back feeling.

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A voluble man, Loftus draws on his colorful life experience — “I was a bartender for years, broke up bar fights,” he said — to coach with a playful rigor.

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“We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit,” according to a Dow Jones spokeswoman.

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Bonta said that while the state is fighting every lawsuit with rigor, two are personal to him and “remain sort of the most important in terms of what they represent.”

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Related Words

• accuracy 
• austerity 
• difficulty 
• firmness www.thesaurus.com
• hardship 
• harshness www.thesaurus.com
• ordeal 
• precision 
• rigidity www.thesaurus.com
• tenacity 
• tribulation 
• vicissitude 

When To Use

What is rigor?

Rigor is strictness and inflexibility, as in The military academy was known for its dedication to perfection, discipline, and rigor.Rigor is also hardship or austerity, as in Young soldiers are rarely ready to handle the rigors of war.Rigor can also refer to a strict accuracy, as with scientific experiments.If a teacher is known for their rigor, they are very strict about things like students finishing all their homework and are likely to punish students who don’t follow the rules. A person known for rigor is likely to support punishments for people who misbehave rather than rewards for people who behave.Rigor can also mean a condition that makes life harder, such as living without electricity. When referring to austerity, can mean living without a lot of things that make life pleasant, like takeout food, video games, and traveling.Finally, rigor can mean strict accuracy or precision, as in The report on water pollution was commended for its scientific rigor.In British English, this word is commonly spelled as rigour.The adjective form of rigor is rigorous and it is most often used to mean something is very harsh or full of difficulties, as in It takes years of rigorous training to be an Olympic athlete.Example: We nearly froze as we huddled in the log cabin and suffered through the rigors of the harsh, unforgiving winter.