Crossword Genius

Beginning of month — occasion for seafaring? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maritime

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'for seafaring?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'beginning of month occasion' is the wordplay.
'beginning of month' becomes 'mari' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'occasion' becomes 'time' (I've seen this in another clue).
'mari'+'time'='MARITIME'

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(Other definitions for maritime that I've seen before include "Connected to the sea and sea-faring" , "beside the sea" , "Bordering on the sea" , "Concerned with the main" , "Coastal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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