Severity

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: --

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war.

5. Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test. Confining myself to the severity of truth. Dryden.