Crossword Genius

Collected monies originally given by state (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

calm

'collected' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'monies originally given by state' is the wordplay.
'originally' indicates taking the first letters.
'given by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'state' becomes 'cal' (short for California).
The first letter of 'monies' is 'm'.
'm' put after 'cal' is 'CALM'.

(Other definitions for calm that I've seen before include "Still - force 0 on the Beaufort scale" , "Peaceful and unexcited" , "Placid, unexcited" , "Peaceful, undisturbed" , "Self-possessed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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