Crossword Genius

Red tape reformed and gradually reduced (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tapered

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

'gradually reduced' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'red tape reformed' is the wordplay.
'reformed' indicates an anagram.
'red'+'tape'='redtape'
'redtape' anagrammed gives 'TAPERED'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tapered that I've seen before include "Narrowing towards one end" , "Coming to a point" , "came to the point" , "Narrowed to a point" , "got slimmer" .)

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