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.