Start is abandoned for former Russian autocracy (7)

I believe the answer is:

tsarist

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'for former russian autocracy' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'start is abandoned' is the wordplay.
'abandoned' indicates anagramming the letters.
'start'+'is'='startis'
'startis' with letters rearranged gives 'TSARIST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tsarist that I've seen before include "Russian royal supporter" , "Like Russia once" , "Russian emperor's supporter" , "Bolshevik opponent" , "One supporting ruler" .)

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

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