Reported missing before noon (7)

I believe the answer is:

morning

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

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for morning that I've seen before include "First part of day" , "Period up to noon" , "Time between dawn and noon" , "Flower closing in the afternoon" , "early part of day" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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