[as.per.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME asprete, fr. OF asprete, fr. aspre rough, fr. L asper, fr. (assumed) OL absperos, fr. ab- ab- + -speros; akin to Skt apasphura repelling, L spernere to spurn--more at spurn] (13c) 1: rigor, severity
2. a: roughness of surface: unevenness; also: a tiny projection from a surface b: roughness of sound
3: roughness of manner or of temper: harshness