Fruit stolen: is it loaded for wide distribution? (9)
I believe the answer is:
grapeshot
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">is it loaded for wide distribution?</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(group of cannonballs)</span><br/ ><br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">fruit stolen</span>' is the wordplay.<br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">fruit</span>' becomes '<span class="explanation-format__intermediate">grapes</span>' <span class="explanation-format__explanation">(grapes are fruit)</span>.<br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__original">stolen</span>' becomes '<span class="explanation-format__intermediate">hot</span>' <span class="explanation-format__explanation">(stolen goods are 'hot')</span>.<br/ >'<span class="explanation-format__intermediate">grapes</span>'+'<span class="explanation-format__intermediate">hot</span>'='<span class="explanation-format__answer">GRAPESHOT</span>'<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for grapeshot that I've seen before include "slugs?" , "Describing ammunition" , "Small iron balls fired from a cannon" , "one could get peppered with it!" , "Great Balls of Fire" .)