[adv] to a severe or serious degree; "fingers so badly frozen they had to be amputated"; "badly injured"; "a severely impaired heart"; "is gravely ill"; "was seriously ill"
[adv] causing great damage or hardship; "industries hit hard by the depression"; "she was severely affected by the bank's failure"
[adv] with sternness; in a severe manner; "`No,' she said sternly"; "peered severely over her glasses"