adjective (severer; -est)
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin severus
Date: 1548
1. strict in judgment, discipline, or government, of a strict or stern bearing or manner ; austere , rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement ; stringent , restrictive , strongly critical or condemnatory ; censorious ,
4. maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or self-discipline, establishing exacting standards of accuracy and integrity in intellectual processes , sober or restrained in decoration or manner ; plain ,
6. inflicting physical discomfort or hardship ; harsh , inflicting pain or distress ; grievous , requiring great effort ; arduous , of a great degree ; serious , severely adverb severeness noun severity noun Synonyms: see: severe