Crossword Genius

Wicked things gradually coming to an end? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tapers

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'wicked things' is the definition.
(type of candle - things with wicks)

'gradually coming to an end?' is the wordplay.
'gradually coming' becomes 'tape' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to' becomes 'reachingasfaras' (I've seen this in another clue).
'an end?' means to remove the middle letters (I've seen 'ends' mean this).
'reachingasfaras' with its centre taken out is 'rs'.
'tape'+'rs'='TAPERS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tapers that I've seen before include "Prates about candle lighters" , "Repast with slender candles" , "Narrows toward a point" , "Long thin candles" , "Becomes gradually narrower as candle may" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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