Crossword Genius

Suffered in troubled times (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bled

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

'in troubled times' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in 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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