Crossword Genius

Afflicted with sulphur particle (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smote

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'afflicted' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'with sulphur particle' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'sulphur' becomes 'S' (synonyms).
'particle' becomes 'mote' (synonyms).
's' next to 'mote' is 'SMOTE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smote that I've seen before include "Hit" , "Struck firmly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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