Crossword Genius

Hamper in hut left half abandoned (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shackle

'hamper' is the definition.
(I know that hamper can be written as shackle)

'hut left half abandoned' is the wordplay.
'hut' becomes 'shack' (synonyms).
'left half' suggests halving the letters.
'abandoned' becomes 'left' (leave can mean to abandon).
'left' with half the letters taken is 'le'.
'shack'+'le'='SHACKLE'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for shackle that I've seen before include "Restrict" , "Chain with fetters" , "Pair of fetters" , "Restrain, limit" , "Hobble" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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