Se*ver"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Severities (#). [L. severitas: cf. F. s'ev'erit'e.]
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.
© Webster 1913.