Crossword Genius

A pile of sand expected about November (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dune

'a pile of sand' is the definition.
(sand dune)

'expected about november' is the wordplay.
'expected' becomes 'due' (similar in meaning).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'november' becomes 'N' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'due' going around 'n' is 'DUNE'.

(Other definitions for dune that I've seen before include "Ridge of wind-blown sand" , "Sandy hill" , "Ridge of sand created by wind" , "Nude in the sand" , "Coastal sand hill" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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