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Looking hot after the bath didn't hurt (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spared

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'didn't hurt' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs can sometimes mean the same thing.

'looking hot after the bath' is the wordplay.
'looking hot' becomes 'red' (someone may blush when hot).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the bath' becomes 'spa' (I've seen this in another clue).
'red' after 'spa' is 'SPARED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spared that I've seen before include "Voluntarily parted with" , "forgiven" , "Dealt leniently with" , "Avoided incurring" , "Treated mercifully" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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