Crossword Genius

Persephone began to rearrange her new home in gradual stages (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

phased

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'home in gradual stages' is the definition.
The answer and definition are different parts of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs can sometimes mean the same thing.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for phased that I've seen before include "Arranged in stages" , "Done in stages, shaped accordingly" , "Shaped (anag.)" , "Introduced in stages" , "spread over stages" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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