Crossword Genius

Change each new top in this way - it looks quite pretty (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scenic

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'pretty' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'change each new top in this way' is the wordplay.
'top' suggests taking the first letters (in a down clue, the first letter is top).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'this way' becomes 'sic' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The first letters of 'change each new' is 'cen'.
'cen' placed within 'sic' is 'SCENIC'.

'it looks quite' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scenic that I've seen before include "Like lovely countryside" , "Like an attractive view" , "Having colourful views, like some routes" , "Like beautiful landscape" , "Like beautiful views" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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