Crossword Genius

Bend old sail over that's small and elegant (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bijou

'small and elegant' is the definition.
(term meaning small and elegant)

'bend old sail over' is the wordplay.
'bend' becomes 'U' (a U-bend is a kind of bend - pipe under sink).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'sail' becomes 'jib' (jibbing is a kind of sailing).
'over' says the letters should be written backwards.
'u'+'o'+'jib'='uojib'
'uojib' in reverse letter order is 'BIJOU'.

'that's' is the link.

(Other definitions for bijou that I've seen before include "(Of a house) small and elegant" , "Small and stylish" , "Small and delicate" , "Trinket; tiny and tasteful" , "Small, but elegant and tasteful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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