/rig"euhr/ , n.
1. strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.
2. the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.
3. severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity: the rigor of wartime existence.
4. a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.
5. scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence: the logical rigor of mathematics.
6. severity of weather or climate or an instance of this: the rigors of winter.
7. Pathol. a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.
8. Physiol. a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.
9. Obs. stiffness or rigidity.
Also, esp. Brit., rigour .
[ 1350-1400; ME rigour rigor stiffness, equiv. to rig ( ere ) to be stiff + -or -OR 1 ]
Syn. 1. inflexibility, stringency. 4. cruelty.