資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Severe \Se*vere"\, a. [Compar. {Severer}; superl. {Severest}.]
   [L. severus; perhaps akin to Gr. ??? awe, ??? revered, holy,
   solemn, Goth. swikns innocent, chaste: cf. F. s['e]v[`e]re.
   Cf. {Asseverate}, {Persevere}.]
   1. Serious in feeeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not
      light, lively, or cheerful.

            Your looks alter, as your subject does, From kind to
            fierce, from wanton to severe.        --Waller.

   2. Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh;
      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
            always more severe against thyself than against
            others.                               --Jer. Taylor.

   3. Rigidly methodical, or adherent to rule or principle;
      exactly conformed to a standard; not allowing or employing
      unneccessary ornament, amplification, etc.; strict; --
      said of style, argument, etc. ``Restrained by reason and
      severe principles.'' --Jer. Taylor.

            The Latin, a most severe and compendious language.
                                                  --Dryden.

   4. Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as,
      severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold.

   5. Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a
      severe test.

   Syn: Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact;
        rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart;
        acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting;
        keen; bitter; cruel. See {Strict}. -- {Se*vere"ly}, adv.
        -- {Se*vere"ness}, n.

資料來源 : WordNet®

severeness
     n : extreme plainness [syn: {austereness}]