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Taken by surprise, the old lady retired, exhausted (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ambushed

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'taken by surprise' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.

'old lady retired exhausted' is the wordplay.
'old lady' becomes 'ma' (both can mean mother).
'retired' is a reversal indicator.
'exhausted' becomes 'bushed' (bushed can informally mean exhausted).
'ma' back-to-front is 'am'.
'am'+'bushed'='AMBUSHED'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ambushed that I've seen before include "Taken by surprise in war" , "Attacked (someone) from concealment" , "surprised?)" , "Lay in wait and waylaid" , "taken, surprisingly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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