severities

1 definition found

severities - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Severity \Se*ver"i*ty\, n.; pl. Severities. [L. severitas: cf.
     F. s['e]v['e]rit['e].]
     The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: 
     [1913 Webster]
     (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.
         [1913 Webster]
     (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.
         [1913 Webster]
     (c) Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as,
         severity practiced on prisoners of war.
         [1913 Webster]
     (d) Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of
         a test.
         [1913 Webster]
  
               Confining myself to the severity of truth.
                                                    --Dryden.
         [1913 Webster]