Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Harsh \Harsh\ (h[aum]rsh), a. [Compar. {Harsher} (-[~e]r);
   superl. {Harshest}.] [OE. harsk; akin to G. harsch, Dan.
   harsk rancid, Sw. h["a]rsk; from the same source as E. hard.
   See {Hard}, a.]
   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 charmed. --Dryden.

   3. (Painting, Drawing, etc.) Having violent contrasts of
      color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.

Source : WordNet®

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}]