Crossword Genius

Relaxed and stopped, but not initially (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eased

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

'stopped but not initially' is the wordplay.
'stopped' becomes 'ceased' ('cease' can be a synonym of 'stop').
'but not initially' means to remove the first letter.
'ceased' with its first letter taken off is 'EASED'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for eased that I've seen before include "Made less stressful or difficult" , "Given relief" , "Relaxed" , "Allievated" , "Moved carefully" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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