Etymology
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rigorous (adj.)

early 15c., of persons, "strict, exacting, harsh, stern;" of laws, actions, etc., "marked by inflexibility, severe, exacting," hence "unmitigated, merciless;" from Old French rigorous (13c., Modern French rigoureux), from Medieval Latin rigorosus, from Latin rigor "stiffness, firmness" (see rigor). The meaning "scrupulously accurate, precise" is from 1650s. Related: Rigorously; rigorousness (c. 1400).

Entries linking to rigorous

rigor (n.)

late 14c., rigour, "harshness, severity in dealing with persons; force; cruelty," from Old French rigor "strength, hardness" (13c., Modern French rigueur), from Latin rigorem (nominative rigor) "numbness, stiffness, hardness, firmness; roughness, rudeness," from rigēre "be stiff" (from PIE root *reig- "stretch; be stretched; be stiff").

Also, in medieval medicine, "a sudden chill" (c. 1400). From early 15c. as "exactness, strictness without indulgence" (of discipline, the law, etc.). Compare rigidity. Rigorism "rigidity in principles or practice" (originally religious) is from 1704. Rigidist is by 1716.

updated on August 25, 2021

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Definitions of rigorous from WordNet

rigorous (adj.)
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard;
rigorous application of the law
Synonyms: strict
rigorous (adj.)
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures;
rigorous discipline
Synonyms: stringent / tight
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near rigorous

rigidity

rigidulous

rigmarole

rigor

rigor mortis

rigorous

rigour

rile

rill

rim

rime

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