Crossword Genius

Cut short and attacked (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

curtailed

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

This could be a double definition.

'cut short' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)

'attacked' is the second definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for curtailed that I've seen before include "Reduced" , "docked" , "Cut short" , "Clipped" , "Made short" .)

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