Se*ver"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Severities (#). [L. severitas: cf. F.
sévérité.] 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.
Se*ver"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Severities (#). [L. severitas: cf. F.
sévérité.] 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.
