Crossword Genius

Circle inside a stent is rather severe in manner (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astringent

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'rather severe in manner' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'circle inside a stent' is the wordplay.
'circle' becomes 'ring' (synonyms).
'inside' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a'+'stent'='astent'
'ring' put inside 'astent' is 'ASTRINGENT'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astringent that I've seen before include "Styptic" , "acerbic" , "Scathing" , "description of wine?" , "(Of taste) sharp, bitter" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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