Crossword Genius

Cut pack and speak grace (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

decorate

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'grace' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'cut pack and speak' is the wordplay.
'cut pack' becomes 'dec' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'speak' becomes 'orate' (orating is a kind of speaking).
'dec'+'orate'='DECORATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for decorate that I've seen before include "Improve the look of" , "Award a medal to" , "Add ornament, colour, etc." , "Add ornamentation to" , "Honour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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