rigour

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. the quality of being valid and rigorousSynonyms: cogencyvalidityrigor
  2. something hard to endure“the asperity of northern winters”Synonyms: asperitygrimnesshardshiprigorseverityseverenessrigorousnessrigourousness
  3. excessive sternness“severity of character”“the harshness of his punishment was inhuman”“the rigors of boot camp”Synonyms: severityseverenessharshnessrigorrigorousnessrigourousnessinclemencyhardnessstiffness
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Rigor \Rig"or\, n. [OE. rigour, OF. rigour, F. rigueur, from L. rigor, fr. rigere to be stiff. See Rigid.] [Written also rigour.]

1.The becoming stiff or rigid; the state of being rigid; rigidity; stiffness; hardness. [1913 Webster]

The rest his look Bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.(Med.) See 1st Rigor, 2. [1913 Webster]

3.Severity of climate or season; inclemency; as, the rigor of the storm; the rigors of winter. [1913 Webster]

4.Stiffness of opinion or temper; rugged sternness; hardness; relentless severity; hard-heartedness; cruelty. [1913 Webster]

All his rigor is turned to grief and pity.— Denham.[1913 Webster]
If I shall be condemn'd Upon surmises, . . . I tell you 'T is rigor and not law.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

5.Exactness without allowance, deviation, or indulgence; strictness; as, the rigor of criticism; to execute a law with rigor; to enforce moral duties with rigor; -- opposed to lenity. [1913 Webster]

6.Severity of life; austerity; voluntary submission to pain, abstinence, or mortification. [1913 Webster]

The prince lived in this convent with all the rigor and austerity of a capuchin.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

7.Violence; force; fury. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Whose raging rigor neither steel nor brass could stay.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Stiffness; rigidness; inflexibility; severity; austerity; sternness; harshness; strictness; exactness. [1913 Webster]

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