Crossword Genius

Cardinal put factor 50 over area (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elemental

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'cardinal' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'factor 50 over area' is the wordplay.
'factor' becomes 'element' (synonyms).
'e0' becomes 'l' (Roman numeral).
'over' is an insertion indicator.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'element'+'l'='elementl'
'elementl' enclosing 'a' is 'ELEMENTAL'.

'put' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elemental that I've seen before include "Basic, primitive" , "Of basic importance" , "Let me lean like forces of nature" , "Fundamental; supernatural entity" , "Of nature's powers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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