Harshness (5)
'harshness' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for asperity that I've seen before include "rough manner" , "Roughness, bitterness" , "Rough state" , "Harshness, bitter coldness" , "Roughness of temper" .)
'harshness' is the definition.
(I know that harshness can be written as severity)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for severity that I've seen before include "Sternness" , "Harshness, asperity" , "Intensity; harshness" .)
'harshness' is the definition.
(I know that harshness can be written as rigor)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for rigor that I've seen before include "Shivering chill before fever" , "Stiffness (after death?)" , "Chilled shivering often a symptom of disease" , "Stiff, irresponsive state" , "showing failure to respond" .)
'harshness' is the definition.
(both can mean strictness or severity)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for rigour that I've seen before include "Austerity - strictness" , "Strict exactitude" , "Extreme strictness" , "Severity, harshness" , "Extreme care and thoroughness" .)