Crossword Genius

Beg group that wants to stay dry to carry masks etc over lake (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appeal

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'beg group that' is the definition.
'appeal' can be an answer for 'beg' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the remainder of the definition.

'to stay dry to carry masks etc over lake' is the wordplay.
'to stay dry' becomes 'aa' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'to carry' indicates putting letters inside.
'masks etc' becomes 'PPE' (personal protective equipment).
'over' means one lot of letters go next to another (in a down clue, some letters go over others).
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'aa' placed around 'ppe' is 'appea'.
'appea'+'l'='APPEAL'

'wants' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for appeal that I've seen before include "Attraction - legal process" , "Application for court ruling to be reversed" , "Petition to a higher court" , "Charm; entreaty" , "judicial review" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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