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After a time, left to take tea, possibly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

late

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'after a time' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'left to take tea possibly' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'to take' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'possibly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tea' with letters rearranged gives 'ate'.
'l'+'ate'='LATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for late that I've seen before include "Former; behind time" , "Far into the night" , "Recently dead" , "after the sell-by date?" , "Having bought it" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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