Critic's aorta operation is noble (12)

I believe the answer is:

aristocratic

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'is noble' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'critic's aorta operation' is the wordplay.
'critic's aorta' can be anagrammed to 'ARISTOCRATIC'.
But, I'm not clear how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aristocratic that I've seen before include "Of the nobility" , "Patrician" , "Upper-class" , "Posh" , "classy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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