Rigor
'rɪɡər
Definitions
2 meaningsStrictness, precision, or exactness; the quality of being thorough and careful.
'rɪɡər
Strictness and precision in applying a procedure or standard
The study was conducted with scientific rigor to ensure the reliability of the findings.
💡 Simply: Think of it like this: imagine you're building a Lego castle. You have to follow the instructions *exactly* and make sure everything fits perfectly. That's rigor – doing something with extreme care and attention to detail so it comes out right.
👶 For kids: Rigor means doing something very carefully and correctly.
More Examples
The rigorous training program prepared the athletes for the competition.
The university's reputation is based on its academic rigor.
How It's Used
"The scientific study was conducted with meticulous rigor to ensure the validity of the results."
"The university is known for the rigor of its academic programs."
"The judge demanded the legal proceedings be conducted with strict rigor."
Severity, strictness, or hardship; the severity of circumstances.
'rɪɡər
Severity or harshness
The team faced the rigor of a grueling training schedule.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really cold, hard winter day. The wind is biting, and everything feels challenging. That harshness and difficulty? That's rigor. Think of it as the tough or unpleasant parts of a situation.
👶 For kids: Rigor can be how hard something is, like a very cold day or a tough job.
More Examples
The survivors described the rigor of living through the war.
The medication caused the patient to experience chills and rigor.
How It's Used
"The patient experienced rigor and chills during the fever."
"The harshness of the weather added to the rigor of the pioneer's journey."
"The description of winter conveyed the rigor of the season."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Rigor mortis
The stiffening of muscles after death.
"The medical examiner noted the presence of rigor mortis in the deceased."
From Latin *rigor* ('stiffness, hardness, severity'), related to *rigēre* ('to be stiff'). It has been used in English since the 16th century, initially referring to physical stiffness or harshness, and later extended to intellectual and methodological strictness.
The word 'rigor' has been used since the 16th century and initially referred to physical stiffness or harshness, but began to be used for intellectual and methodological strictness by the 18th century.
Memory tip
Think of a rigid framework - rigor is the strictness that holds things in place.
Word Origin
"stiffness, hardness, severity"