Crossword Genius

Caustic word-play by a chap (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pungent

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

'word-play by a chap' is the wordplay.
'word play' becomes 'pun' (I've seen this in another clue).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a chap' becomes 'gent' ('gent' can be a synonym of 'chap').
'pun'+'gent'='PUNGENT'

(Other definitions for pungent that I've seen before include "Having a strong smell" , "Offensive" , "Biting" , "Strong and sharp" , "delivering powerful smack" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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