Crossword Genius

Tense, gave instruction in speech (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taut

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

'gave instruction in speech' is the wordplay.
'gave instruction' becomes 'taught' (I've seen this before).
'in speech' shows a homophone (sound like).
'taught' is a homophone of 'TAUT'.

(Other definitions for taut that I've seen before include "seaworthy" , "On the slope" , "Fully stretched" , "Tense, stretched tight" , "Pulled or drawn tight" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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