Set out around mid-morning, as directed (4)

I believe the answer is:

sent

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'directed' is the definition.
('send' can be a synonym of 'direct')

'set out around mid-morning' is the wordplay.
'out' means to remove the last letter.
'around mid morning' becomes 'nt' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'set' with its last letter taken away is 'se'.
'se'+'nt'='SENT'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sent that I've seen before include "Transmitted" , "Remitted" , "Noiseless" , "old money in Tallinn" , "Shipped" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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