severity
Use Severity in a sentence
ɪ noun, plural se·ver·i·ties.
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 pain.
4.
grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.
5.
rigid exactness or accuracy.
6.
an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To severity
00:10
Severity
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
severe (sɪˈvɪə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | rigorous or harsh in the treatment of others; strict: a severe parent |
| 2. | serious in appearance or manner; stern |
| 3. | critical or dangerous: a severe illness |
| 4. | causing misery or discomfort by its harshness: severe weather |
| 5. | strictly restrained in appearance; austere: a severe way of dressing |
| 6. | hard to endure, perform, or accomplish: a severe test |
| 7. | rigidly precise or exact |
| [C16: from Latin sevērus] | |
| se'verely | |
| —adv | |
| se'vereness | |
| —n | |
| severity | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
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) + *vero "kindness," neuter ablative of verus "true" (see
very). Meaning "strictness in dealing with others" is recorded from 1520s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The severity of these regulations, by and large, is at the government's discretion.
When the severity of the crisis is considered this picture is modified.
Don't smoke-it can increase the severity of flu-related health problems.
The report is yet another sign of the severity of the recession.
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