rigor

rig·or

noun \ˈri-gər\

Definition of RIGOR

1

a (1) : harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity (2) : the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness (3) : severity of life : austerity b : an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty

2

: a tremor caused by a chill

3

: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable; especially : extremity of cold

4

: strict precision : exactness <logical rigor>

5

a obsolete : rigidity, stiffness b : rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli c : rigor mortis

Examples of RIGOR

1. They underwent the rigors of military training.
2. the rigors of life in the wilderness
3. They conducted the experiments with scientific rigor.
4. a scholar known for her intellectual rigor

Origin of RIGOR

Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RIGOR

Synonyms: adversity, asperity, hardness, hardship, difficulty

Antonyms: flexibility, gentleness, laxness, mildness

Related Words: discomfort, inconvenience, nuisance; affliction, trial, tribulation; knock, misfortune, mishap, tragedy; bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, handicap, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, pons asinorum, rub, shackle, snag, stop, trammel; block, chain, deterrent, encumbrance, fetter, inhibition; hump

Near Antonyms: advantage, break, opportunity

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with RIGOR

chigger, digger, jigger, rigger, snigger, swigger, trigger, vigor