n.; pl. Severities [ L. severitas: cf. F. sévérité. ] The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ] (a) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties. “Strict age, and sour severity.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) The quality or power of distressing or paining; extreme degree; extremity; intensity; inclemency; as, the severity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter. [ 1913 Webster ] (c) Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war. [ 1913 Webster ] (d) Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test. [ 1913 Webster ] Confining myself to the severity of truth. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] | 