Cut severely short (5)
I believe the answer is:
sever
'cut' is the definition.
(to sever is to cut or split)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sever that I've seen before include "Cut right off" , "Divide, cut" , "Cut off suddenly" , "Cut completely" , "Cut or break off, perhaps a relationship" .)