Crossword Genius

Inept, like a convent starting off? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hapless

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

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

'a convent starting off?' is the wordplay.
'a convent starting' becomes 'hap' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'off?' becomes 'less' (I've seen this in another clue).
'hap'+'less'='HAPLESS'

'like' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hapless that I've seen before include "Unlucky, unfortunate" , "Piteous" , "Pathetic" , "Ill-starred" , "Ill-fated" .)

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