Crossword Genius

Softened and served dish on cue (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cushioned

'softened' is the definition.
('cushion' can be a synonym of 'soften')

'served dish on cue' is the wordplay.
'served' is an anagram indicator.
'dish'+'on'+'cue'='dishoncue'
'dishoncue' anagrammed gives 'CUSHIONED'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cushioned that I've seen before include "Softened the effect of" , "given protection" , "protected from impact" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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