Crossword Genius

Restrain sides getting disorderly - start to talk (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desist

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

'restrain' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't see how they can define each other.

'sides getting disorderly start to talk' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'sides' is 'desis' which is located in the answer.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for desist that I've seen before include "Eject; annoyed" , "Stop, cease activity" , "'Stop, give over (6)'" , "Refrain (from doing something)" , "Abstain, refrain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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