Crossword Genius

Sadness is beginning to moderate in time (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dismay

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'sadness' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both feelings as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'is beginning to moderate in time' is the wordplay.
'beginning to' indicates taking the first letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'time' becomes 'day' (day is a kind of time).
The initial letter of 'moderate' is 'm'.
'is'+'m'='ism'
'ism' inserted within 'day' is 'DISMAY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dismay that I've seen before include "Consternation, distress" , "Affright" , "Sadden" , "Appal" , "upset" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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