Crossword Genius

After some relief a number relaxed (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eased

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'relaxed' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'after some relief a number' is the wordplay.
'after some relief' becomes 'ease' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a number' becomes 'D' (D is an example).
'ease'+'d'='EASED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eased that I've seen before include "became less tight" , "Relieved, mitigated" , "Alleviated" , "Released pressure" , "Oiled" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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