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sévère

strict

adjective seh-VEHR Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Also means

harsh

Usage Note

Sévère describes a person who enforces rules strictly or a situation that is harsh. It is an invariable form for both genders (un professeur sévère / une règle sévère). The adverb is sévèrement and the noun is la sévérité. In medical contexts, sévère can describe a serious or severe condition.

Examples

"Le juge a rendu une sentence sévère."

Natural Translation

The judge delivered a harsh sentence.

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