Crossword Genius

Covered, finished and left with help (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

overlaid

'covered' is the definition.
(overlaying is a kind of covering)

'finished and left with help' is the wordplay.
'finished' becomes 'over' (similar in meaning).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'help' becomes 'aid' (synonyms).
'over'+'l'+'aid'='OVERLAID'

(Other definitions for overlaid that I've seen before include "Put on" , "Covered on top" .)

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