severity etymology

Etymology

The word "severity" comes from the Latin word "severus," which means "strict," "harsh," or "uncompromising." It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*sewer-," meaning "to cut."

Meaning and Origin

In its original Latin sense, "severus" referred to the quality of being stern, demanding, or unflinching in one's character or actions. It was often used to describe people who were not easily swayed or influenced.

Over time, the meaning of "severity" has expanded to include a wide range of negative qualities, such as:

  • Harshness or cruelty
  • Unrelenting intensity or force
  • Excessive strictness or punishment
  • Unfavorable or damaging consequences

In the context of disease, "severity" refers to the degree of harm or distress caused by a particular condition. It is typically rated on a scale from mild to severe, with severe cases being characterized by significant symptoms and the potential for serious complications.

"Severity" is commonly used in various fields, including:

  • Law: To describe the seriousness of a crime or punishment
  • Medicine: To indicate the severity of a disease or injury
  • Education: To assess the difficulty or complexity of a task or assignment
  • Weather: To describe the intensity of a storm or other weather event

severity relate terms

  • severe

    Etymology Latin severus Proto Italic sehwero Proto Indo European sweh₂ró

  • Antioch

    Etymology Greek Αντιόχεια Antiókheia Meaning By Victory or Fortres

  • asseverate

    Etymology The word asseverate comes from the Latin word asseverare which means to d

  • asthenia

    Etymology Greek asthenes ἀσθενής meaning weak powerless From the root

  • asthenosphere

    Etymology The term asthenosphere is derived from two Greek words astheno meaning

  • cachectic

  • cachexia

    Etymology The word cachexia derives from Ancient Greek kakos κακός meaning

  • calisthenics

    Etymology Calisthenics is derived from two Greek words kallos κάλλος beaut

  • cathexis

    Etymology Ancient Greek κατάσχεσις katáskhesis Latin cathexis Meaning

  • entelechy

    Etymology Derived from Greek entelecheia ἐντελέχεια Meaning The rea

  • epoch

    Etymology Derived from the Ancient Greek word epokhē ἐποχή meaning suspens

  • hectic

    Etymology The word hectic comes from the Greek word hektikos which means habitual

  • hector

    Etymology The name Hector has ancient Greek origins It is derived from the Greek word

  • ischemia

    Etymology Latin ischaemia Greek iskhemia Meaning A condition in which there is

  • myasthenia

    Etymology Greek mys μῦς muscle Greek astheneia ἀσθένεια wea

  • neurasthenia

    Etymology Greek νεῦρον neuron nerve sinew ἀσθένεια astheneia

  • Ophiuchus

    Etymology The name Ophiuchus is derived from two Greek words ὄφις ophis meaning

  • persevere

    Etymology French persévérer Latin perseverare Prefix per through Verb severa

  • schema

    Schema Etymology From Greek σχήμα schēma meaning form shape figure appear

  • schematic

    Etymology Schematic comes from the Greek word schema meaning form outline or

  • scheme

    Etymology The word scheme comes from the Middle English word scheme which in turn co

  • scholar

    Etymology The word scholar comes from the Middle French word escholier which in turn

  • scholastic

    Etymology The word scholastic is derived from the Greek word σχολή scholē m

  • school

    Etymology The word school originates from the Greek term skholē which originally m

  • severe

    Etymology Latin severus Proto Italic sehwero Proto Indo European sweh₂ró

  • severity

    Etymology The word severity comes from the Latin word severus which means strict

  • Siegfried

    Etymology Germanic Old High German Sigifrid Composed of two elements Meaning Vi

  • rigor

    Etymology Latin rigor stiffness severity Proto Indo European wreig to be stif

  • asperity

    Etymology of asperity The word asperity is derived from the Latin word asper meani

  • rigor

    Etymology Latin rigor stiffness severity Proto Indo European wreig to be stif

  • intemperance

    Etymology The word intemperance is derived from the Latin word intemperantia which

  • acrimony

    Etymology Late Latin acrimonia from acer sharp bitter Meaning A bitter har

  • tolerance

    Etymology Latin tolerantia endurance patience Stems from the verb tolerare to be

  • difficulty

    Etymology From Old French difficulté from Latin difficultas from difficilis meaning

  • solace

    Etymology The word solace comes from the Old French word solacier meaning to comfo

  • rapport

    Etymology The word rapport comes from the French word rapporter meaning to bring ba