Crossword Genius

A little problem reported with stove pipe? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

somewhat

'a little' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'problem reported with stove pipe?' is the wordplay.
'problem' becomes 'sum' (arithmetic problem).
'reported' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'stove pipe?' becomes 'hat' (stove pipe is a type of hat).
'sum' is a homophone of 'some'.
'some'+'w'+'hat'='SOMEWHAT'

(Other definitions for somewhat that I've seen before include "To an extent, a little" , "Moderately" , "Partially, to a degree" , "Quite" , "To a moderate extent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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