Crossword Genius

Suffered in troubled times (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bled

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'suffered' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'in troubled times' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'BLED' is hidden in the letters of 'troubled times'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bled that I've seen before include "Seeped (into an adjoining colour)" , "Haemorrhaged" , "Lost blood" , "Showed effects of injury" , "Extracted blood as treatment" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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