Crossword Genius

Cut off a small beard (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sawn

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

'cut off' is the definition.
'sawn' can be an answer for 'cut' (cut with a saw). I'm not sure about the 'off' bit.

'a small beard' is the wordplay.
'a small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'beard' becomes 'awn' (both can mean a growth on plants).
's'+'awn'='SAWN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sawn that I've seen before include "timber must be" , "Severed" , "(Of wood) cut" , "went up and down?" , "Cut with serrated blade" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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