Crossword Genius

Idiot with income said to be moderate (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assuage

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

'idiot with income said' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'idiot' could be 'ass' (I've seen this before) and 'ass' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assuage that I've seen before include "Ease or relieve, say thirst" , "moderate" , "Soothe, make less severe" , "Pacify, allay" , "Mitigate - allay" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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