Crossword Genius

Ray is sick, is infected (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blighted

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

'is infected' is the definition.

'ray is sick' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'ray' could be 'light' (a ray of light) and 'light' is found within the answer.
'is' could be 'be' and 'be' is present in the remaining letters.
A single letter 'd' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for blighted that I've seen before include "Spoilt, harmed" , "Withered with disease like potatoes in famine" , "Spoiled, harmed; infected" , "Damaged" .)

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