Severity

Severity — Se*ver i*ty, n.; pl. {Severities}. [L. severitas: cf. F. s[ e]v[ e]rit[ e].] The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: [1913 Webster] (a) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Severity — may refer to:* Severity (2008 video game), an upcoming video game * a dimension for classifying seriousness for Technical support issues …   Wikipedia

severity — I noun acerbitas, acerbity, acrimony, asperity, austerity, causticity, cruel treatment, cruelty, ferity, ferociousness, ferocity, fierceness, force, fury, gravitas, gravity, grimness, harshness, inclemency, inexorability, inflexibility,… …   Law dictionary

severity — late 15c., austerity or strictness of life, from M.Fr. severite, from L. severitas, from severus stern, strict, serious, possibly from *se vero without kindness, from se without (see SECRET (Cf. secret)) + *vero kindness, neuter ablative of verus …   Etymology dictionary

severity — [sə ver′ə tē] n. [Fr sévérité < L severitas] 1. the quality or condition of being severe; specif., a) strictness; harshness b) gravity, as of expression c) rigid accuracy d) extreme plainness or restraint, as in style …   English World dictionary

Severity — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Severity >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 severity severity Sgm: N 1 strictness strictness harshness &c. >Adj. Sgm: N 1 rigor rigor stringency austerity Sgm: N 1 inclemency inclemency …   English dictionary for students

severity — se|ver|i|ty [ sı verəti ] noun uncount 1. ) the seriousness of something bad or unpleasant: severity of: The severity of the storm was less than expected. 2. ) the degree to which something is strict or extreme: severity of: She was surprised by… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

severity — UK [sɪˈverətɪ] / US noun [uncountable] 1) the seriousness of something bad or unpleasant severity of: The severity of the storm was less than expected. 2) the degree to which something is strict or extreme severity of: She was surprised by the… …   English dictionary

severity — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ great ▪ utmost (esp. BrE) ▪ moderate ▪ increasing ▪ varying ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

severity — /seuh ver i tee/, n., pl. 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… …   Universalium

severity — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Strictness Nouns 1. severity; strictness, harshness, rigor, stringency, austerity, straight face; ill treatment; inclemency, pitilessness, arrogance. See insolence, violence, authority. 2. (strict rule)… …   English dictionary for students