Crossword Genius

Temper effect of note cutting motorway access (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mitigate

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'temper effect' is the definition.
'mitigate' can be an answer for 'temper' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'effect' bit.

'note cutting motorway access' is the wordplay.
'note' becomes 'ti' (musical note as in do re mi fa so la ti).
'cutting' indicates putting letters inside (some letters cut their way into a word).
'motorway' becomes 'MI' (resembles Mt, English motorway).
'access' becomes 'gate' (I've seen this in other clues).
'mi'+'gate'='migate'
'ti' going within 'migate' is 'MITIGATE'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mitigate that I've seen before include "Lessen the gravity of" , "Extenuate" , "Temper" , "Lessen - modify" , "Lessen the seriousness of" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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