Crossword Genius

Copper base raised to a higher power (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cubed

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'raised to a higher power' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'copper base' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'base' becomes 'bed' (bed is a kind of base).
'cu'+'bed'='CUBED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cubed that I've seen before include "Divided up" , "(Of number) multiplied by its own square" , "Like some sugar" , "One is so unchanging" , "To the power of three" .)

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