rigour
UK: ˈrɪɡə | US: ˈrɪɡər
n. strictness, severity, or harshness in judgment, standards, or conditions
n. (scientific/technical) precision or exactness in methodology
The word rigour traces back to Latin rigor, which originally described physical stiffness (e.g., of muscles or objects). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to denote inflexibility in rules or standards, particularly in academic and scientific contexts. The suffix -our (British English) preserves the Old French influence, while American English simplifies it to -or.
The professor graded with such rigour that few students earned top marks.
Scientific rigour demands meticulous documentation of experiments.
The rigour of military training prepared them for extreme conditions.
Her analysis was praised for its intellectual rigour.
The law was enforced with uncompromising rigour.