Crossword Genius

Figure free of hesitation, post-op? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

numb

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

'figure free' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'hesitation post-op?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'hesitation' could be 'um' (um is said in hesitation) and 'um' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for numb that I've seen before include "Without feelings" , "Without feeling" , "Deprived of feeling" , "Dead" , "Feeling nothing" .)

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