Severeness

Severe Se*vere", a. [Compar. {Severer}; superl. {Severest}.] [L. severus; perhaps akin to Gr. ??? awe, ??? revered, holy, solemn, Goth. swikns innocent, chaste: cf. F. s['e]v[`e]re. Cf. {Asseverate}, {Persevere}.] 1. Serious in feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful. [1913 Webster]

Your looks alter, as your subject does, From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

2. Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment. ``Custody severe.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Come! you are too severe a moraler. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be always more severe against thyself than against others. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

3. Rigidly methodical, or adherent to rule or principle; exactly conformed to a standard; not allowing or employing unneccessary ornament, amplification, etc.; strict; -- said of style, argument, etc. ``Restrained by reason and severe principles.'' --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

The Latin, a most severe and compendious language. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold. [1913 Webster]

5. Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact; rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart; acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting; keen; bitter; cruel. See {Strict}. [1913 Webster] -- {Se*vere"ly}, adv. -- {Se*vere"ness}, n. [1913 Webster]