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

Amazon says the kiosks have the same clinical oversight as traditional pharmacies but with added convenience, and that speed and convenience don’t replace clinical rigor.

Read more on MarketWatch

While the Fed can and does look at privately-collected data, that data isn’t fully reliable because they use “different levels of rigor,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a conference on Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

These accomplishments demonstrate how scientific rigor combined with compassionate leadership can transform struggling institutions into thriving centers of excellence.

Read more on Science Daily

A physics teacher got him interested in the topic, he said, and a math teacher taught him rigor, work ethic and organization.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In other words, Mr. Gould writes, “young strivers who were willing to endure the rigors of urban decay.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.