 | WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
| WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
Severity
Pronunciation : Se*ver"i*ty
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [L. severitas: cf. F. s?v?rit?.]
Definition : Defn: The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: -- (a) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties. "Strict age, and sour severity." Milton. (b) The quality or power of distressing or paining; extreme degree; extremity; intensity; inclemency; as, the severity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter. (c) Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war. (d) Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test. Confining myself to the severity of truth. Dryden.
pl. Severities.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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