Crossword Genius

Letter bound to have shown sympathy (6)

Ross
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'letter bound to have shown sympathy' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'letter bound to have shown' is the wordplay.
'letter bound' becomes 'cur' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'shown' becomes 'led'.
'cur'+'led'='CURLED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for curled that I've seen before include "Curved, coiled" , "Coiled, twisted" , "Twisted in ringlets" , "Rolled up" .)

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