adjective
severe
sih-VEER/sɪˈvɪr/
Harshly demanding or difficult to endure.
The severe storm bends the tree and lashes the shuttered house with rain.
Etymology
Latin severus described someone serious, stern, or strict. From harsh judgment and punishment, severe broadened to distressing intensity in weather, illness, and pain; its deeper origin is uncertain.
In context
two of them had pretty severe uh frostbite. >> Sure. And they and they lost digits.
More examples
- Severe winter weather makes travel dangerous.
- She has severe pain in her lower back.
- The city imposes severe restrictions on water use.
Forms
severe · severer · severest
severity noun — The degree of harshness or seriousness.
severely adverb — In a harsh or intensely painful way.