Crossword Genius

Cut a thin slice while giving quiet greeting (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shave

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

'cut a thin slice while' is the definition.
'shave' can be an answer for 'cut' (shaving is a kind of cutting). I am unsure of the 'a thin slice while' bit.

'giving quiet greeting' is the wordplay.
'giving' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'quiet' becomes 'sh' ('sh' is used to tell someone to be quiet).
'greeting' becomes 'ave' (Latin greeting).
'sh'+'ave' is 'SHAVE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shave that I've seen before include "Use a razor" , "Remove unwanted hair" , "A close one is a narrow escape" , "Shear closely" , "Barber" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app