severity

[ suh-ver-i-tee ]

/ səˈvɛr ɪ ti /

harshness, sternness, or rigor: Their lives were marked by severity.

austere simplicity, as of style, manner, or taste: The severity of the decor was striking.

intensity or sharpness, as of cold or pain.

grievousness; hard or trying character or effect: The severity of his loss was finally becoming apparent.

rigid exactness or accuracy.

an instance of strict or severe behavior, punishment, etc.

Origin of severity

1475–85; < Latin sevēritās, equivalent to sevēr(us) severe + -itās -ity

non·se·ver·i·ty, noun, plural non·se·ver·i·ties. o·ver·se·ver·i·ty, noun su·per·se·ver·i·ty, noun

During the thirteenth century the severities against the usurers were not relaxed.

Usury |Calvin Elliott
He recoiled not from any severities which he deemed indispensable to the success of his horrible mission.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. III, No. XVII, October 1851 |Various
If we may distinguish between the severities of these awful tumults of nature, the thunder was heavier, deeper.

Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume 28 |Various
In spite of all precautions and severities, however, the Celt found many opportunities of taking a sly revenge.

The History of England from the Accession of James II. |Thomas Babington Macaulay

Protestants fled from the severities of Roman rule, and Romans from the oppressions of Protestants.

Famous Men and Great Events of the Nineteenth Century |Charles Morris