Definition of: rigor

(rig′ər) noun
1. The condition of being stiff or rigid.
2. Stiffness of opinion or temper; harshness.
3. Exactness without allowance or indulgence; inflexibility; strictness; severity.
4 Inclemency, as of the weather; hardship.
5. A severe, harsh, or cruel act.
6. Med. a A violent chill from cold or nervous shock. b The trembling observed in the chill preceding a fever.
7. Biol. A rigid state in an organism or in any of its parts, caused by adverse or unfavorable conditions. Also Brit. rig′our. [<L <rigere be stiff]