Rigour

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪɡə(ɹ)
• Homophones: rigor, rigger

Alternative forms

• rigor (US)

Origin

From Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French rigor, from Latin rigor ("stiffness, rigidity, rigor, cold, harshness"), from rigere ("to be rigid"). Compare French rigueur.

Full definition of rigour

Noun

1. Severity or strictness.
2. A trembling or shivering response.
3. Character of being unyielding or inflexible.
4. Shrewd questioning.
5. Higher level of difficulty.
6. (British, slang) Misspelling of rigor An abbreviated form of rigour mortis.

Related terms

• rigid
• rigorous
• rigorousness