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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | Probably from a Scandinavian language |
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harsh
1 harsh conditions are difficult to live in and very uncomfortable [= severe]:
conditions
2 severe, cruel, or unkind 
'She's an idiot!' 'Aren't you being a bit harsh?'a harsh, authoritarian regime
treatment/criticism
harsh criticism/treatment/punishment etc His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues. the harsh measures taken against the protestors
His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.the harsh measures taken against the protestors'She's an idiot!' 'Aren't you being a bit harsh?'a harsh, authoritarian regime3 unpleasantly loud and rough [≠ soft]
sound
4 unpleasantly bright [≠ soft]: She stood outside, blinking in the harsh sunlight.
light/colour
She stood outside, blinking in the harsh sunlight.5 ugly and unpleasant to look at : the harsh outline of the factories against the sky
lines/shapes etc
the harsh outline of the factories against the sky6 too strong and likely to damage the thing you are cleaning : My skin is quite sensitive and I find some soaps too harsh.
cleaning substance
My skin is quite sensitive and I find some soaps too harsh. —harshly adverb: 'Shut up,' Boris said harshly.
'Shut up,' Boris said harshly. —harshness noun [uncountable]
