se·ver·i·ty \sə̇ˈverəd.ē, sēˈ-, -i sometimes -ˈvir-\noun (-es) Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French severité, from Latin severitat-, severitas, from severus severe + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at severe : quality or state of being severe < the severity of the winter > < the naked severities of science — Thomas De Quincey >