the quality or state of being severe.-gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties.-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.-harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war.-exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test.