Smallest tales are edited (5)

I believe the answer is:

least

'smallest' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'tales are edited' is the wordplay.
'are edited' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tales' is an anagram of 'LEAST'.

(Other definitions for least that I've seen before include "Smallest part" , "Superlative form of 'little'" , "Most insignificant" , "superlatively small" , "Lowest or smallest" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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