Crossword Genius

Most of catalogue a little reduced, showing flexibility (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lissom

'showing flexibility' is the definition.
(lissome or lissom means supple)

'most of catalogue a little reduced' is the wordplay.
'most of' means to remove the last letter.
'catalogue' becomes 'list' (a catalogue is a list of items).
'a little' becomes 'some' (both can mean a small amount).
'reduced' means to remove the last letter.
'list' with its last letter removed is 'lis'.
'some' with its last letter taken away is 'som'.
'lis'+'som'='LISSOM'

(Other definitions for lissom that I've seen before include "Supple or agile" , "Lithe, nimble" , "Supple, nimble" , "Gracefully slim and supple" , "Lithe and flexible" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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