Crossword Genius

A spray of liquid's absorbed by grass when no longer needing heat? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

armistice

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

'no longer needing heat?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a spray of liquid's absorbed by grass' is the wordplay.
'spray of liquid' becomes 'mist' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'absorbed by' is an insertion indicator.
'grass' becomes 'rice'.
'mist' inserted into 'rice' is 'rmistice'.
'a'+'rmistice'='ARMISTICE'

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for armistice that I've seen before include "let-up from war" , "Truce" , "Fire is prevented by this" , "Suspension of hostilities" , "harbinger of peace?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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