Definition of severity
- n. - The quality or state of being severe.
- n. - Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor;
harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of
discipline or government; severity of penalties.
- n. - 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.
- n. - Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as,
severity practiced on prisoners of war.
- n. - Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of
a test.