Crossword Genius

Rotten act with character kicking off results in wound (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meandered

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'wound' is the definition.
('meander' can be a synonym of 'wind')

'rotten act with character kicking off' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'with' could be 'and' and 'and' is found in the answer.
'character' could be 'r' and 'r' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'results in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for meandered that I've seen before include "Named deer who wandered about" , "Wandered randomly" , "Of stream, followed a winding course" , "(Of river) snaked" , "Wandered around aimlessly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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