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.