stringency
(ˈstrɪndʒənsɪ)
[f. stringent a.: see -ency.]
The quality of being stringent; strictness, rigour.
| 1844 Kinglake Eothen xxiii, He insisted on the stringency of the orders which he had received. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. I. 55 Twice subsequently in the course of his reign he returned back upon the subject, insisting upon it with increasing stringency. 1885 Law Jrnl. 17 Jan. 36/2 Criticisms are sometimes passed on the stringency of the English laws of evidence. |
b. Of reasoning: Compulsive force, convincingness.
| 1864 Max Müller Chips (1880) I. iv. 116 We see no stringency whatever in this argument. 1872 W. K. Clifford Lect. & Ess. (1879) I. 156 As the known exactness of the uniformity became greater, the stringency of the inference increased. |
c. Comm. ‘Tightness’ in the money-market.
| 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines & Mining 185 The stringency in the money-market aggravating the gloomy aspect of affairs. 1893 Westm. Gaz. 17 Oct. 6/1 In view of the money stringency at Chicago, they consider it unwise to recommend a larger distribution. |