Se-vēre', a., a.
a. [compar. SEVERER; superl. SEVEREST.] [Fr. sévère, It. & Sp. severo, Lat. severus.]
Sense 1. Serious in feeling or manner; externally sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful.
Your looks must alter, as your subject does, From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe. Walker.
Sense 2. Very strict, in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; rigid; 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 more severe against thyself than against others. Bp. Taylor.
Sense 3. Rigidly methodical, or adherent to rule or principle; exactly conformed to a standard; not permitting neglect or transgression; not allowing or employing unnecessary ornament, amplification, and the like;—said of style, argument, &c. “Restrained by reason and severe principles.” Bp. Taylor.
The Latin, a most severe and compendious language. Dryden.
Sense 4. Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, torture; severe cold.
Sense 5. Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test.
Synonyms— Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact; rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart; acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting; keen; bitter; cruel. See STRICT.