Crossword Genius

Attacked the copper with acid (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

etched

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

'acid' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'attacked the copper' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
'copper' could be 'd' and 'd' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'eche' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for etched that I've seen before include "Engraved, eg, by acid" , "made some kind of score" , "Carved on metal with acid" , "Incised" , "Cut or impressed into a surface" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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