Crossword Genius

Experienced a child punching others (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seasoned

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'experienced' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'a child punching others' is the wordplay.
'child' becomes 'son' (male child).
'punching' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters punch or puncture others).
'others' becomes 'seed' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'son'='ason'
'ason' inserted inside 'seed' is 'SEASONED'.

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(Other definitions for seasoned that I've seen before include "Of food, flavoured with salt, pepper etc" , "Experienced with condiments added?" , "Expert" , "Salted and peppered" , "Flavoured or hardened" .)

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