Crossword Genius

Weakened, yet was a friend to a boy (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

paled

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'weakened yet' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'a friend to a boy' is the wordplay.
'a friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'to a boy' becomes 'ed' (short for Edward).
'pal'+'ed'='PALED'

'was' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for paled that I've seen before include "Went white or ashen" , "Went white, lost facial colour" .)

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