Crossword Genius

Biting insect circling chain on bike, finally (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astringent

'biting' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'insect circling chain on bike finally' is the wordplay.
'insect' becomes 'ant' (ant is a kind of insect).
'circling' means one lot of letters goes inside another (circling can mean going around or containing).
'chain' becomes 'string' (synonyms).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'bike' is 'e'.
'string'+'e'='stringe'
'ant' going around 'stringe' is 'ASTRINGENT'.

(Other definitions for astringent that I've seen before include "Styptic" , "(Of taste) sharp, bitter" , "Scathing" , "Harsh" , "(Medication) causing contraction - stern giant (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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