Crossword Genius

Temporary relief from the regular cruel malice (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

respite

'temporary relief' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'regular cruel malice' is the wordplay.
'regular' means one should take alternating letters.
'malice' becomes 'spite' (spite is a kind of malice).
The alternate letters of 'cruel' are 're'.
're'+'spite'='RESPITE'

'from the' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for respite that I've seen before include "Abatement, rest" , "Short period of rest" , "Brief period of rest" , "interruption" , "Brief period of relief" .)

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