Severity never seen up front? (9)

I believe the answer is:

sternness

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'severity' is the definition.
(I know that sternness is a type of severity)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for sternness that I've seen before include "serious nature!" , "Grimly serious quality" , "severity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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