Crossword Genius

Clearly insisted on a spruce condition (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tidiness

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'condition' is the definition.
(tidiness is a kind of condition)

'clearly insisted on a spruce' is the wordplay.
'insisted' anagrams to 'TIDINESS'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tidiness that I've seen before include "Orderly quality" , "good order" , "sense of order" , "Insisted on neatness." , "Quality of neatness and orderliness" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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