severity

[suh-ver-i-tee]

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noun, plural se·ver·i·ties.

harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.

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

intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.

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

rigid exactness or accuracy.

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

Origin of severity

1475–85; < Latin sevēritās, equivalent to sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity

Related formsnon·se·ver·i·ty, noun, plural non·se·ver·i·ties.o·ver·se·ver·i·ty, nounsu·per·se·ver·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for severity

Contemporary Examples of severity

Within these forms, the severity of depression can vary over time.
Robin Williams’ Deadly Depression
Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad
August 12, 2014
We did so because we understood the severity of those threats.
Why You Should Blame Iran For The Gaza Conflict
Naftali Bennett
July 26, 2014
McDonald attempts to impart on him the severity of the consequences he will face should he find himself back in this courtroom.
Private Prisons Rule With Little Oversight on America’s Border
Caitlin Dickson
June 20, 2014
The scope—and severity—of their alleged crimes is astounding, as well.
The FBI Declares War on L.A.’s Crips
Andrew Romano
June 18, 2014
Longtime Quds Force chief Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani is reportedly in Baghdad, which indicates the severity of the crisis.
Iran Is the Biggest Loser in Iraq
Aki Peritz
June 15, 2014

Historical Examples of severity

This incident served Henry as a pretence for his severity towards that prince.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part C.
David Hume
He had scarcely arrived when he made every exertion to urge it to adopt measures of severity.
History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, Volume III
J. H. Merle D'Aubign
He would have it out even to the extent of severity and have done with it.
The Pastor's Wife
Elizabeth von Arnim
Then the talk drifted back to the singing school and Brother Friedsam's severity.
Duffels
Edward Eggleston
He was a tall, thin man with a wide mouth, which either smiled charmingly or was set with severity.
The Copy-Cat and Other Stories
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

Word Origin and History for severity

late 15c., "austerity or strictness of life," from Middle French severite, from Latin severitas "seriousness, strictness, sternness," from severus "stern, strict, serious," of uncertain origin. Possibly from PIE root *segh- "to have, hold" (see scheme (n.)), or possibly from *se vero "without kindness," from se "without" (see secret) + *vero "kindness," neuter ablative of verus "true" (see very). Meaning "strictness in dealing with others" is recorded from 1520s.