Crossword Genius

Appointments put back by district attorney (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dates

'appointments' is the definition.
('date' can be a synonym of 'appointment')

'put back by district attorney' is the wordplay.
'put' becomes 'set' (setting is a kind of putting).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'district attorney' becomes 'da' ('D.A.' can be a synonym of 'district attorney').
'set' back-to-front is 'tes'.
'tes' after 'da' is 'DATES'.

(Other definitions for dates that I've seen before include "Occasions" , "appearing on most coins" , "Specified parts of the year" , "Fruits for social engagements" , "Small tree-fruits or social appointments" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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