'Severest' definitions:

Definition of 'Severest'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful. [1913 Webster]
  • Your looks alter, as your subject does, From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe. --Waller. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment. "Custody severe." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Come! you are too severe a moraler. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be always more severe against thyself than against others. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • The Latin, a most severe and compendious language. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact; rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart; acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting; keen; bitter; cruel. See Strict. [1913 Webster] -- {Se*vere"ly}, adv. -- {Se*vere"ness}, n. [1913 Webster]