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severity

 - 3 dictionary results

se⋅ver⋅i⋅ty

  [suh-ver-i-tee]
Use severity in a Sentence
–noun, plural -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.
Origin:
1475–85; < L sevēritās, equiv. to sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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se·ver·i·ty   (sə-věr'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. se·ver·i·ties

  1. The state or quality of being severe.

  2. The act or an instance of severe behavior, especially punishment.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

severity 
1481, "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 1530. Severe is 1548, from M.Fr. severe, from L. severus.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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