Crossword Genius

Neddy to suffer from attack (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assail

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'attack' is the definition.
(I know that attack can be written as assail)

'neddy to suffer' is the wordplay.
'neddy' becomes 'ass' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to suffer' becomes 'ail' (ailing is a kind of suffering).
'ass'+'ail'='ASSAIL'

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assail that I've seen before include "Aggressively attack" , "Assault, attack" , "storm" , "Launch an attack" , "Charge" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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