Crossword Genius

Severe, twisted features ignored by female (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

austere

'severe' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'twisted features ignored by female' is the wordplay.
'twisted' indicates an anagram.
'ignored by' is a deletion indicator.
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'features' with 'f' removed is 'eatures'.
'eatures' is an anagram of 'AUSTERE'.

(Other definitions for austere that I've seen before include "Grim - USA tree (anag)" , "Bleak" , "Abstemious, strict" , "Lacking adornments" , "Stark" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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