Crossword Genius

Cut short dog-end (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

curtail

'cut short' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'dog-end' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'cur' (both can mean a despicable person).
'end' becomes 'tail' (tail is a kind of end).
'cur'+'tail'='CURTAIL'

(Other definitions for curtail that I've seen before include "make shorter" , "Abbreviate" , "Impose a restriction on" , "Shorten, abridge" , "Cut short (an activity)" .)

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