Crossword Genius

Restrain mongrel beginning to bite (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

curb

'restrain' is the definition.
('curb' can be a synonym of 'restrain')

'mongrel beginning to bite' is the wordplay.
'mongrel' becomes 'cur' ('cur' can be a synonym of 'mongrel').
'beginning to' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'bite' is 'b'.
'cur'+'b'='CURB'

(Other definitions for curb that I've seen before include "Check or restrain" , "Bridle" , "'Temper, hold in restraint (4)'" , "Constrain" , "[LIMITATION]" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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