Crossword Genius

A fiery mount (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

etna

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a fiery mount' is the definition.
'Etna' can be an answer for 'mount' (Etna is an example). I'm not certain of the 'a fiery' bit.

'a fiery mount' is the wordplay.
'a' becomes 'an'.
'fiery' becomes 'te' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'mount' says the letters should be written backwards (I've seen 'mounting' mean this (going up in a down clue)).
'an'+'te'='ante'
'ante' reversed gives 'ETNA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for etna that I've seen before include "Heating vessel" , "Sicilian hothead?" , "Active European volcano" , "Highest active volcano in Europe" , "Neat volcano overturned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News and The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app