Crossword Genius

Cut close to nose’s hard to endure (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

severe

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'hard to endure' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cut close to nose's' is the wordplay.
'cut' becomes 'sever' (severing is a kind of cutting).
'close to' says to put letters next to each other.
'nose's' becomes 'e' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'sever'+'e'='SEVERE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for severe that I've seen before include "Hard to endure" , "Harsh - extreme" , "Strict and unbending" , "Critical" , "Harsh and stern" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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