Crossword Genius

A dame packing heat put blade away (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sheathe

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'blade away' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a dame packing heat' is the wordplay.
'a dame' becomes 'she' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'packing' is an insertion indicator (some letters are packed inside).
'she' enclosing 'heat' is 'SHEATHE'.

'put' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sheathe that I've seen before include "stow away safely" , "Put (a sword) into its holder" , "Put (a sword) it its cover" , "Encase in protection" , "Protective cover, for sword say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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