Crossword Genius

New order for red tape to be gradually reduced (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tapered

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'gradually reduced' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'new order for red tape' is the wordplay.
'new order for' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'red'+'tape'='redtape'
'redtape' is an anagram of 'TAPERED'.

'to be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tapered that I've seen before include "Narrow" , "With thickness reduced towards an end" , "Narrowing towards one end" , "Pointed" , "Gradually diminished" .)

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