1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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  feeeling  or  manner;  sedate;  grave;  austere;  not 
  light,  lively,  or  cheerful. 
 
  Your  looks  alter,  as  your  subject  does  From  kind  to 
  fierce,  from  wanton  to  severe.  --Waller. 
 
  2.  Very  strict  in  judgment,  discipline,  or  government;  harsh; 
  not  mild  or  indulgent;  rigorous;  as  severe  criticism; 
  severe  punishment.  ``Custody  severe.''  --Milton. 
 
  Come!  you  are  too  severe  a  moraler.  --Shak. 
 
  Let  your  zeal,  if  it  must  be  expressed  in  anger,  be 
  always  more  severe  against  thyself  than  against 
  others  --Jer.  Taylor. 
 
  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. 
 
  The  Latin,  a  most  severe  and  compendious  language. 
  --Dryden. 
 
  4.  Sharp;  afflictive;  distressing;  violent;  extreme;  as 
  severe  pain,  anguish,  fortune;  severe  cold. 
 
  5.  Difficult  to  be  endured;  exact;  critical;  rigorous;  as  a 
  severe  test. 
 
  Syn:  Strict;  grave;  austere;  stern;  morose;  rigid;  exact; 
  rigorous;  hard;  rough;  harsh;  censorious;  tart; 
  acrimonious;  sarcastic;  satirical;  cutting;  biting; 
  keen;  bitter;  cruel.  See  {Strict}.  --  {Se*vere"ly},  adv 
  --  {Se*vere"ness},  n. 

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