Crossword Genius

Offer view of duck by tree (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opine

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'offer view' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'duck by tree' is the wordplay.
'duck' becomes 'o' (resembles zero - 'duck' in cricket).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'tree' becomes 'pine' (pine tree is a kind of tree).
'o'+'pine'='OPINE'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opine that I've seen before include "Suppose" , "Give one's view" , "Suggest" , "State as one's belief" , "Hold forth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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