Crossword Genius

Relative without a daughter freed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

untied

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

'freed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'relative without a daughter' is the wordplay.
'relative' becomes 'aunt' (aunt is a type of relative).
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'daughter' becomes 'ied' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'aunt' with 'a' removed is 'unt'.
'unt'+'ied'='UNTIED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for untied that I've seen before include "Disconnected" , "Released from 19" , "Undid the knot" , "'Unfastened, lace say (6)'" , "Loosened" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app