Crossword Genius

It has a beastly restricting effect (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tether

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

'a beastly restricting effect' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'it' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ether' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'has' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tether that I've seen before include "Rope holding an animal" , "Rope; the exasperated at the end of it" , "restricts movement" , "Leash" , "Hold by a rope" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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