severe
se.vere \s*-'vi(*)r\ aj [MF or L; MF, fr. L severus] 1a: strict in
judgment, discipline, or government 1b: of a strict or stern bearing or
manner : AUSTERE 2: rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement :
STRINGENT, RESTRICTIVE 3: strongly critical or condemnatory : CENSORIOUS
{~ criti c} 4a: maintaining a scrupulously exacting standard of behavior or
self-disci pline 4b: establishing exacting standards of accuracy and
integrity in intellect ual processes {~ logician} 5: sober or restrained in
decoration or manner : PLAIN 6a: inflicting physical discomfort or
hardship : HARSH {~ winter} 6b: inflicting pain or distress : GRIEVOUS {~
wound} 7: requiring great effort : ARDUOUS {~ test} 8: of a great degree
: MARKED, SERIOUS {~ economic d epression} or requiring discipline or
restraint. SEVERE implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity
and may suggest harshness; STERN stresses inflexibility and inexorability
of temper or character; AUSTERE stresses absence of warmth, color, or
feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial;
ASCETIC implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as
spiritual discipline and may even suggest the courting of what is hard or
painful or disagreeable - se.vere.ly av SYN syn SEVERE, STERN, AUSTERE,
ASCETIC mean showing