Crossword Genius

Diminished, a knight, at last, is resting (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bated

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

'diminished' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a knight at last is resting' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'knight' could be 'bt' and 'bt' is found in the leftover letters.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bated that I've seen before include "Reduced (referring to breath)" , "Moderated, the breath in anticipation, say" , "With - breath means in great suspense" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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