severity

American  

[suh-ver-i-tee] / səˈvɛr ɪ ti /

noun

plural

severities

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.

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

4. grievousness; hard or trying character or effect.

   The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

5. rigid exactness or accuracy.

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonseverity noun
• overseverity noun
• superseverity noun

Etymology

Origin of severity

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

Example Sentences

"That would reduce mortality, disease severity, and perhaps build up a level of immune resilience that would have a huge impact," says Pulendran.

From BBC

Russian veterans can choose between public and private facilities, and are offered a host of rehabilitation programmes and cash pay-outs depending on the severity of their wounds.

From Barron's

“It’s really humbling to hear from people that are struggling to make ends meet, but they understand the severity of where we are in our country right now,” Mendoza said.

From Salon

And suddenly, the severity of what she’s saying hits me.

From Literature

"Often, when people become sick, we are not immediately sure of the cause or potential severity -- the epigenetic signatures we developed offer a road map to classify and assess these situations."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• harshness