1.
Gravity is the force which causes things to drop to the ground.
Arrows would continue to fly forward forever in a straight line were it not for ~, which brings them down to earth.
N-UNCOUNT
see also centre of ~
2.
The ~ of a situation or event is its extreme importance or seriousness.
They deserve punishment which matches the ~ of their crime...
Not all acts of vengeance are of equal ~.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
3.
The ~ of someone’s behaviour or speech is the extremely serious way in which they behave or speak.
There was an appealing ~ to everything she said.
N-UNCOUNT