GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Severe , a. [Compar. Severer ; superl. Severest.] [L. severus; perhaps akin to Gr.  awe,  revered, holy, solemn, Goth. swikns innocent, chaste: cf. F. sévère.  Cf. Asseverate, Persevere.]
   Serious in feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful.
   1913 Webster
   Your looks alter, as your subject does,
   From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe.
   Waller.
   
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   Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment. “Custody severe.”  
   Milton.
   
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   Come! you are too severe a moraler.
   Shak.
   
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   Let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be always more severe against thyself than against others.
   Jer. Taylor.
   
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   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.
   
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   The Latin, a most severe and compendious language.
   Dryden.
   
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   Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold.
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   Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test.
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   Syn. -- Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact; rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart; acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting; keen; bitter; cruel. See Strict.
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   -- Se*vere"ly, adv. -- Se*vere"ness, n.
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