Crossword Genius

Amateur entering pipe operated in shifts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relayed

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

'operated in shifts' is the definition.
'relayed' can be an answer for 'operated' (relaying is a kind of operating). I'm not certain of the 'in shifts' bit.

'amateur entering pipe' is the wordplay.
'amateur' becomes 'lay' (similar in meaning).
'entering' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'pipe' becomes 'reed pipe' (reed pipe is a kind of pipe).
'lay' placed into 'reed' is 'RELAYED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for relayed that I've seen before include "Layered (anag.)" , "Received and passed on" , "Broadcast; passed on" , "Passed on from hand to hand, station to station etc" , "Transmitted along" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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