sharpness; harshness
Despite the asperity of his character and speech, the old professor secretly cared a great deal about his students.
asper aspris (rough, harsh) (Latin)
aspiri + ty: aspiriN; ASPIRIN - IS given when there is SEVERE pAIN OR headache; Asperity can be thought of as A spear with severity. i. e Sharpness As+per+IT (software industry)is well-known for their harshness in layoff