Severity at the back? (9)
I believe the answer is:
sternness
This could be a double definition.
'severity' is the first definition.
(I know that sternness is a type of severity)
'the back?' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'at' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sternness that I've seen before include "severity" , "Grimly serious quality" , "serious nature!" .)