The adj severe has 6 senses (first 5 from tagged texts)
1. (8) severe, terrible, wicked -- (intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; "severe pain"; "a severe case of flu"; "a terrible cough"; "under wicked fire from the enemy's guns"; "a wicked cough")
2. (3) hard, knockout, severe -- (very strong or vigorous; "strong winds"; "a hard left to the chin"; "a knockout punch"; "a severe blow")
3. (2) austere, severe, stark, stern -- (severely simple; "a stark interior")
4. (1) severe, spartan -- (unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; "a parent severe to the pitch of hostility"- H.G.Wells; "a hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien"; "a strict disciplinarian"; "a Spartan upbringing")
5. (1) dangerous, grave, grievous, serious, severe, life-threatening -- (causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave illness"; "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a serious turn of events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a life-threatening disease")
6. severe -- (very bad in degree or extent; "a severe worldwide depression"; "the house suffered severe damage")