The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ACUTE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
C
U
T
E
More clues leading to the result ACUTE
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Severe" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case severe = acute.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ACUTE mean?
ACUTE noun- A person who has the acute form of a disorder, such as schizophrenia.
- An accent or tone higher than others.
- An acute accent (ยด).
- To give an acute sound to.
- To make acute; to sharpen, to whet.
- Brief, quick, short.
- High or shrill.
- Intense, sensitive, sharp.
- Urgent.
- With the sides meeting directly to form an acute angle (at an apex or base).
- Of an angle: less than 90 degrees.
- Of a triangle: having all three interior angles measuring less than 90 degrees.
- Of an accent or tone: generally higher than others.
- Of an abnormal condition of recent or sudden onset, in contrast to delayed onset; this sense does not imply severity, unlike the common usage.
- Of a short-lived condition, in contrast to a chronic condition; this sense also does not imply severity.
- After a letter of the alphabet: having an acute accent.