severity
/səˈvɛɹ.ə.ti/ noun C1- The state of being severe.
- The degree of something undesirable; badness or seriousness. · The severity of the offence merits a long prison sentence.
Plural severities
From the library
It is not Fernand Mondego’s treachery towards Ali Pasha which induces me so readily to excuse you, but the treachery of the fisherman Fernand towards you, and the almost unheard-of miseries which were its consequences; and I say, and proclaim it publicly, that you were justified in revenging yourself on my father, and I, his son, thank you for not using greater severity.”
Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity.
“Anne,” with greater severity, “get off that bed this minute and listen to what I have to say to you.”
“You should learn not to make personal remarks,” Alice said with some severity; “it’s very rude.”
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