1 (seriously) (with verb) [+damage, disrupt, hamper] seriamente A fire had severely [damaged] part of the school Traffic was severely [disrupted] for almost seven hours Bad weather severely [hampered] the emergency services
[+limit, restrict] severamente The powers of parliament have been severely [limited] The government have severely [limited] powers to act The movement of civilians was severely restricted Their freedom of movement is likely to be severely curtailed
[+injure, affect] gravemente The pilot was severely [injured] He was severely [wounded] in an IRA gun attack on Tuesday The disease severely [affects] over 800 people in the UK Countries were severely hit by the Gulf crisis
the competitors were severely tested by the conditions las condiciones meteorológicas habían supuesto una dura prueba para los participantes
(with adj) [+ill, disabled] gravemente ...a severely [ill] child who failed to respond to conventional therapy...
[+depressed, disturbed] profundamente she had been severely depressed for many months ...severely [disturbed] patients ...a home caring for severely disabled children
2 (harshly) [+punish, reprimand, criticize] duramente; con severidad This essay was severely [criticized] when it was published in Germany They were severely [punished]
[+look] con severidad She sat in her chair, peering severely over her glasses
3 (austerely) [+dress] austeramente Miss Wickson was dressed severely in a dark blue dress and jacket
