Slight scout leader unknotted ropes initially (4)

I believe the answer is:

slur

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

'scout leader unknotted ropes initially' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'scout leader unknotted ropes' is 'SLUR'.

(Other definitions for slur that I've seen before include "Aspersion - speak indistinctly" , "Slight - drawl" , "Slight sound" , "Insinuation, allegation" , "Disparaging remark" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.

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