Crossword Genius

Cope with a winding mechanism (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

handle

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

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

'a winding mechanism' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for handle that I've seen before include "Ability to walk on board ship" , "Deal with; name (colloq.)" , "Informally, personal title or name - sounds manual" , "Manage or deal with - in manual way?" , "Part by which something is carried" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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