Crossword Genius

Half dead except at the start (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

debut

'the start' is the definition.
(debut is a kind of start)

'half dead except' is the wordplay.
'half' indicates taking half.
'except' becomes 'but' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dead' cut in half is 'de'.
'de'+'but'='DEBUT'

'at' is the link.

(Other definitions for debut that I've seen before include "The coming out of a society girl" , "Tubed (anag.)" , "First appearance in society" , "First appearance, a coming-out" , "where one began" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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