Basic enemy later put to rout (10)

I believe the answer is:

elementary

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'basic' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'enemy later put to rout' is the wordplay.
'enemy later' anagrams to 'ELEMENTARY'.
Though, I am not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elementary that I've seen before include "most things, to Holmes" , "Simple, introductory" , "like some schools?" , "Basic, simple" , "Rudimentary; introductory" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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