Crossword Genius

Laid hands on the ball, oddly beating seeds (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blessed

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

'laid hands on' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with ownership as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ball oddly beating seeds' is the wordplay.
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
'beating' indicates an anagram.
The alternating letters of 'ball' are 'bl'.
'seeds' is an anagram of 'essed'.
'bl'+'essed'='BLESSED'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for blessed that I've seen before include "darned" , "worthy of respect" , "Made lucky - made holy" , "Highly favoured or fortunate" , "Endowed" .)

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