Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment.

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.

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

Serious in feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful.

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave illness"; "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a serious turn of events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a life-threatening disease"

A disability serious enough to render a person incapable regularly of pursuing any substantially gainful occupation.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's guns"; "a wicked cough"

very bad in degree or extent; "a severe worldwide depression"; "the house suffered severe damage"

A relative term used to describe the degree to which hazardous materials releases can cause adverse effects to human health and the environment.

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

Very annoyingly audible. See "audibility."

very strong or vigorous; "strong winds"; "a hard left to the chin"; "a knockout punch"; "a severe blow"

A style of Greek sculpture between Archaic and High Classical, i.e., 480 BCE to 450 BCE.

severely simple; "a stark interior"

hard wine with very little pleasantness when tasted ; often found in potentially great wines when still very young