severity
[suh-ver-i-tee]
- 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.
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Origin of severity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
harshnessstrictnesssternnesssharpnesscrueltyacerbityrigorausteritygrimnesshardnessunkindnessExamples from the Web for severity
Contemporary Examples
Within these forms, the severity of depression can vary over time.
We did so because we understood the severity of those threats.
McDonald attempts to impart on him the severity of the consequences he will face should he find himself back in this courtroom.
The scope—and severity—of their alleged crimes is astounding, as well.
Longtime Quds Force chief Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani is reportedly in Baghdad, which indicates the severity of the crisis.
Historical Examples
She'll drive him to me again; but oh, the shame of taking him so, given to me by her severity!
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
The severity of this Winter caused great difficulties in Kentucke.
The Adventures of Colonel Daniel BooneJohn Filson
"You are trying to evade me, Mr. Hewson," she said, with a severity he found charming.
Questionable ShapesWilliam Dean Howells
But again provoking a severity from me which she could not bear, and calling me names!
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Bred in coldness and severity, this had rescued him to have a warm and sympathetic heart.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
Word Origin and History for severity
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper