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severest |
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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