Crossword Genius

Chosen with ease reportedly to stay liberal at court (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elect

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'chosen' is the definition.
('elect' as an adjective can mean chosen)

'ease reportedly to stay liberal at court' is the wordplay.
'ease reportedly' becomes 'ee' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'reportedly' bit.).
'to stay' is an insertion indicator (stay can mean to restrain or control).
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'at' says to put letters next to each other.
'court' becomes 'ct'.
'ee' placed around 'l' is 'ele'.
'ele'+'ct'='ELECT'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elect that I've seen before include "Choose; chosen" , "Put into power through the ballot box" , "Appoint through ballot" , "Choose by voting" , "Bring to office" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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