Crossword Genius

Letter bound to have shown sympathy (6)

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

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

'letter bound' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'letter' could be 'n' and 'n' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bided' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to have' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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