Cut less than severely (5)

I believe the answer is:

sever

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'cut' is the definition.
(I know that sever is a type of cut)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for sever that I've seen before include "Cut completely" , "split" , "Put an end to (connection or relationship)" , "Disconnect" , "Cut apart, maybe a relationship" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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