rigor

Rigor is something strict, severe or demanding.

(noun)

  1. Harsh and strict treatment in the military for cadets is an example of rigor.
  2. Freezing weather and ice are examples of the rigors of winter.
  3. Difficult and challenging academic courses are an example of academic rigor.

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See rigor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. harshness or severity; specif.,
    1. strictness or inflexibility: the rigor of martial law
    2. extreme hardship or difficulty: the rigors of life
    3. inclemency, as of weather
  2. exactness in precision or accuracy; exactitude
  3. a severe, harsh, or oppressive act, etc.
  4. stiffness; rigidity; specif., a condition of rigidity in body tissues or organs, in which there is no response to stimuli
  5. a shivering or trembling, as in the chill preceding a fever

Origin: ME < MFr rigueur < L rigor < rigere: see rigid

Brit. sp. rigour

See rigor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Strictness or severity, as in temperament, action, or judgment.
  2. A harsh or trying circumstance; hardship. See Synonyms at difficulty.
  3. A harsh or cruel act.
  4. Medicine Shivering or trembling, as caused by a chill.
  5. Physiology A state of rigidity in living tissues or organs that prevents response to stimuli.
  6. Obsolete Stiffness or rigidity.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English rigour

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin rigor

Origin: , from rigēre, to be stiff; see reig- in Indo-European roots

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