Crossword Genius

Reckoned explicit kiss should be removed (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rated

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

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

'explicit kiss should be removed' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'be' could be 'rate' (rating is a kind of being) and 'rate' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'd' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rated that I've seen before include "Graded, ranked" , "Reckoned" , "Assessed in trade" , "Taxed" , "Scolded (archaic); assessed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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