Crossword Genius

Left Dad confused? Doctor Reed damaged hose? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laddered

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'damaged hose?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'left dad confused? doctor reed' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'confused?' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'confused' mean this).
'doctor' indicates an anagram.
'dad' anagrammed gives 'add'.
'reed' anagrammed gives 'ered'.
'l'+'add'+'ered'='LADDERED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for laddered that I've seen before include "Unravelled, stocking for instance" , "ran" , "23 25 [WARDROBE MALFUNCTION] perhaps?" , "Descriptive of a stocking with a run" , "(Of tights or stockings) having a run" .)

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