Crossword Genius

Learned that woman did not let out skirts (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gathered

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

'learned' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'woman did not let out skirts' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'woman' could be 'her' (her refers to a woman) and 'her' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'gated' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'that' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gathered that I've seen before include "Surmised" , "Got together - tucked in" , "Brought together in one place" , "assumed" , "Understood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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