Crossword Genius

Compensated, sent a note on the day (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atoned

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

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

'sent a note on the day' is the wordplay.
'sent' is an anagram indicator (send can mean to excite or stimulate).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the day' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for day).
'a'+'note'='anote'
'anote' anagrammed gives 'atone'.
'atone'+'d'='ATONED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atoned that I've seen before include "Made amends" , "Made up for past wrong" , "Made up for, say injury" , "Made up for past wrongdoing" , "Made reparation (for)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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