Crossword Genius

Cracking in vessel revolutionary agent plugs (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

superb

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'cracking' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'vessel revolutionary agent plugs' is the wordplay.
'vessel' becomes 'sub' (submarine is a type of vessel).
'revolutionary' says the letters should be written backwards.
'agent' becomes 'rep' (short for representative).
'plugs' means one lot of letters goes inside another (plug can mean to fill a gap).
'rep' backwards is 'per'.
'sub' going around 'per' is 'SUPERB'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for superb that I've seen before include "fine" , "Splendid, marvellous" , "Dazzling" , "Quite splendid, really excellent" , "Highly impressive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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