asperity
UK: æˈsperəti | US: æˈsperəti
n. harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner
n. roughness or unevenness of a surface
n. (archaic) severity of weather or conditions
asperity = asper<harsh, rough> + ity<noun suffix>
- asper (from Latin asper, meaning "rough, harsh")
- ity (noun-forming suffix indicating state or quality, from Latin -itas)
Etymology Origin:
The word "asperity" traces back to the Latin asperitas, derived from asper ("rough"). It originally described physical roughness (e.g., of surfaces) and later evolved metaphorically to describe harshness in behavior or tone. The suffix -ity solidifies its abstract noun form, emphasizing a quality or state. The logical progression reflects how tangible roughness (e.g., a rough texture) extended to intangible harshness (e.g., speech or temperament).
The asperity in his voice made it clear he was displeased.
Sandpaper is graded by the asperity of its surface.
She responded with uncharacteristic asperity to the criticism.
The asperity of the mountain terrain made hiking difficult.
Historical records note the asperity of winters during the Little Ice Age.