severe
     adj 1: intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or
            quality; "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a
            terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's
            guns"; "a wicked cough" [syn: {terrible}, {wicked}]
     2: very strong or vigorous; "strong winds"; "a hard left to the
        chin"; "a knockout punch"; "a severe blow" [syn: {hard}, {knockout}]
     3: severely simple; "a stark interior" [syn: {austere}, {stark}]
     4: unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; "a
        parent severe to the pitch of hostility"- H.G.Wells; "a
        hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien"; "a strict
        disciplinarian"; "a Spartan upbringing" [syn: {spartan}, {strict}]
     5: causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a
        dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave
        illness"; "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a
        serious turn of events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a
        life-threatening disease" [syn: {dangerous}, {grave}, {grievous},
         {serious}, {life-threatening}]
     6: very bad in degree or extent; "a severe worldwide
        depression"; "the house suffered severe damage"
Source: WordNet® 2.0