Harsh a. [Compar. Harsher superl. Harshest.]
  1. Rough; disagreeable; grating; esp.: (a) disagreeable to the touch. “Harsh sand.” --Boyle. (b) disagreeable to the taste. “Berries harsh and crude.” --Milton. (c) disagreeable to the ear. “Harsh din.” --Milton.
  2. Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities; austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough.
     Clarence is so harsh, so blunt.   --Shak.
     Though harsh the precept, yet the preacher charmed.   --Dryden.
  3. Painting, Drawing, etc. Having violent contrasts of color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.
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  harsh
       adj 1: unpleasantly stern; "wild and harsh country full of hot sand
              and cactus"; "the nomad life is rough and hazardous"
              [syn: rough]
       2: disagreeable to the senses; "the harsh cry of a blue jay";
          "harsh cognac"; "the harsh white light makes you screw up
          your eyes"; "harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway"
       3: extremely unkind or cruel; "had harsh words"; "a harsh and
          unlovable old tyrant"
       4: severe; "a harsh penalty"
       5: used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause
          suffering; "brutal weather"; "northern winters can be
          cruel"; "a cruel world"; "a harsh climate"; "a rigorous
          climate"; "unkind winters" [syn: brutal, cruel, rigorous,
           unkind]
       6: sharply disagreeable; rigorous; "the harsh facts of court
          delays"; "an abrasive character" [syn: abrasive]