Severian (severian)

[ severity (se-ver'i-ti), n.; pl. severities (-tiz). [OF. severite, F. sévérité = Sp. severidad = IMG:content-0735.png:[blocks in formation] 2. To put together or construct, or to repair, as a garment, by means of a needle and thread. And seouweth and amendeth chirche clothes. Ancren Riwle, p. 420. And ze, louely ladyes, with zoure longe fyngres, That ze han silke and sendal, to so we [var. sewen ], whan time is, Chesibles for chapelleynes, cherches to honoure. Piers Plowman (B), vi. 11. I sew'd his sheet, making my mane. ment: as, severity practised on prisoners of war. The Pharisaical Superstitions, and Vows, and Severities to themselves in fetching blood and knocking their heads against the walls. Stilling fleet , Sermons, II. i. (d) In lit., art, etc., the quality of strict conformity to an ideal rule or standard; studied moderation; freedom from exuberance or florid ornament; purity of line and form; all austerity of style. IMG:content-0736.png:[blocks in formation] (e) The quality or power of afflicting, distre ing, or paining; extreme degree; extremity; keenne : as, the sever ity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter. Lib'ral in all things else, yet Nature here With stern severity deals out the year; Winter invades the spring. Cowper, Table-Talk, 1. 209. We ourselves have seen a large party of stout men travelling on a morning of intense severity . De Quincey , Plato. (f) Exactne ; rigor; nicene : as, the severity of a test. (g) Strictne ; rigid accuracy. I may say it with all the severity of truth, that every line of yours is precious. Dryden , Orig. and Prog. of Satire, =Syn. (a) and ( b ) Asperity , Harshne , etc. (see acrimony ), unkindne .( b ), (c), and (e) Sharpne , keenne , force. See list under harshne . severyt, n. See civery . Also spelled severey, severie, severee. Sevillan (se-vil'an), a. [