[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

severe \severe"\, a. compar. severer; superl. severest.
   l. severus; perhaps akin to gr. ??? awe, ??? revered, holy,
   solemn, goth. swikns innocent, chaste: cf. f. s'ev`ere.
   cf. asseverate, persevere.
   1. serious in feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not
      light, lively, or cheerful.
      1913 webster

            your looks alter, as your subject does,
            from kind to fierce, from wanton to severe.
                                                  --waller.
      1913 webster

   2. very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh;
      not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism;
      severe punishment. "custody severe." --milton.
      1913 webster

            come you are too severe a moraler.   --shak.
      1913 webster

            let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be
            always more severe against thyself than against
            others.                               --jer. taylor.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            the latin, a most severe and compendious language.
                                                  --dryden.
      1913 webster

   4. sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as,
      severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold.
      1913 webster

   5. difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a
      severe test.
      1913 webster

   syn: strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact;
        rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart;
        acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting;
        keen; bitter; cruel. see strict.
        1913 webster -- severe"ly, adv. -- severe"ness,
        n.
        1913 webster
see also:
severer severest asseverate persevere strict severe"ly 
severe"ness 

Severest >> S Words
Severest, definition of term: Severest
severest_pag1.html