Gradually opened the string noodles distributed around Spain (8)

I believe the answer is:

loosened

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'gradually opened the string' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'noodles distributed around spain' is the wordplay.
'distributed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'spain' becomes 'e' (abbreviation for Espana).
'noodles' anagrammed gives 'loosend'.
'loosend' enclosing 'e' is 'LOOSENED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for loosened that I've seen is " Made slack, eased as with grip".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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