A shroud, we hear, to cause dismay (5)
I believe the answer is:
appal
'dismay' is the definition.
(I know that dismay can be written as appal)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for appal that I've seen before include "To shock, dismay" , "Put at rest (suspicion)" , "Shock, horrify" , "Cause to be unpleasantly surprised" , "expressed dismay" .)