Annoying messenger not quite finishing call (8)
I believe the answer is:
angering
'annoying' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with human feelings as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'messenger not quite finishing call' is the wordplay.
'messenger' becomes 'angel' (heavenly messenger).
'not quite' means to remove the last letter (most but not all of the word).
'finishing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'call' becomes 'ring' (telephone call).
'angel' with its last letter taken off is 'ange'.
'ange'+'ring'='ANGERING'
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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