Crossword Genius

Severe reduction in AE (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acute

'severe' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'reduction in ae' is the wordplay.
'reduction' becomes 'cut' (cut is a kind of reduction).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'cut' put into 'ae' is 'ACUTE'.

(Other definitions for acute that I've seen before include "Perspicacious" , "Shrewd; serious" , "Angle of less than 39 degrees" , "Grave" , "Severe; French accent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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