A clipped English accent (5)

I believe the answer is:

acute

'accent' is the definition.
(acute is a kind of accent)

'a clipped english' is the wordplay.
'clipped' becomes 'cut' (similar in meaning).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'a'+'cut'+'e'='ACUTE'

(Other definitions for acute that I've seen before include "Shrewd; serious" , "Quick-witted" , "Severe; French accent" , "Sharp; severe" , "Extremely sharp or intense" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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