se|vere´ness

se|vere´ness
se|vere «suh VIHR», adjective, -ver|er, -ver|est.
1. very strict; stern; harsh: »

a severe reprimand, severe self-denial. The judge imposed a severe sentence on the criminal.

2. sharp or violent: »

severe criticism, a severe winter. I have a severe headache. That was a severe storm.

3. serious; dangerous; grave: »

a severe illness.

4. very plain or simple; without ornament: »

She wore a severe black dress.

SYNONYM(S): chaste, unadorned.
5. difficult; taxing: »

The new gun had to pass a series of severe tests.

SYNONYM(S): exacting.
6. rigidly exact, accurate, or methodical: »

severe reasoning.

SYNONYM(S): precise, rigid.
╂[< Latin sevērus]
–se|vere´ly, adverb.
–se|vere´ness, noun.
Synonym Study 1 Severe, stern mean having or showing strictness. Severe implies uncompromising strictness and the absence of any mildness or indulgence: »

a severe critic, severe punishment.

 Stern implies rigid firmness of manner or appearance, sometimes assumed only for the occasion: »

a stern look of disapproval. The coach is stern when boys break training.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • ness — ness·ber·ry; ness·ler·iza·tion; ness·ler·ize; ness·ler s; new·fan·gled·ness; new·ness; news·i·ness; nice·ness; nig·gard·li·ness; nig·gard·ness; nigh·ness; nip·pi·ness; no·ble·ness; nois·i·ness; non·cha·lant·ness; north·er·li·ness; north·ness;… …   English syllables

  • vere — per·se·vere; se·vere; se·vere·ly; se·vere·ness; re·vere; …   English syllables

  • se|vere´ly — se|vere «suh VIHR», adjective, ver|er, ver|est. 1. very strict; stern; harsh: »a severe reprimand, severe self denial. The judge imposed a severe sentence on the criminal. 2. sharp or violent: »severe c …   Useful english dictionary

  • se|vere — «suh VIHR», adjective, ver|er, ver|est. 1. very strict; stern; harsh: »a severe reprimand, severe self denial. The judge imposed a severe sentence on the criminal. 2. sharp or violent: »severe c …   Useful english dictionary

  • severeness — se·vere·ness …   English syllables

  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Severely — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Severer — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Severest — 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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