/euh sper"i tee/ , n. , pl. asperities .
1. harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner; severity; acrimony: The cause of her anger did not warrant such asperity.
2. hardship; difficulty; rigor: the asperities of polar weather.
3. roughness of surface; unevenness.
4. something rough or harsh.
[ 1200-50; late ME asperite ( asperitas, equiv. to asper rough + -itas -ITY; r. ME asprete ]
Syn. 1. acerbity, bitterness, astringency.
Ant. 1. affability, cheerfulness.