Crossword Genius

Spread is less rapid when treated (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dispersal

'spread' is the definition.
(I know that dispersal is a type of spread)

'less rapid when treated' is the wordplay.
'when treated' indicates anagramming the letters.
'less'+'rapid'='lessrapid'
'lessrapid' with letters rearranged gives 'DISPERSAL'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for dispersal that I've seen before include "Scattering" , "Natural spread of seed" , "broadcast" , "Dissemination" , "(Of smoke) thinning out and disappearance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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