Crossword Genius

Make fewer points (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lessen

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

'make fewer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'points' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'points' could be 'ess' (east and south are compass points) and 'ess' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'len' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lessen that I've seen before include "Make fewer in number" , "Become smaller or fewer" , "Abate" , "Reduce in number" , "Make smaller for lenses" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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