Be abusive to black-hearted engineers (6)

I believe the answer is:

revile

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'be abusive' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'black-hearted engineers' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'evil' (similar in meaning).
'hearted' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go to the heart of the word).
'engineers' becomes 're' (Royal Engineers).
'evil' placed inside 're' is 'REVILE'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for revile that I've seen before include "Abuse verbally" , "Criticise - abuse" , "Run down" , "Criticise in abusive language" , "Vilify" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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