Crossword Genius

Dad’s ringing large old lady for vital matter? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plasma

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

'vital matter?' is the definition.
'plasma' can be an answer for 'matter?' (plasma is a kind of matter). I am not certain of the 'vital' bit.

'dad's ringing large old lady' is the wordplay.
'dad's' becomes 'pa's' (both can mean one's father).
'ringing' indicates putting letters inside.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'old lady' becomes 'ma' (both can informally mean mother).
'pas' going around 'l' is 'plas'.
'plas'+'ma'='PLASMA'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plasma that I've seen before include "Star material" , "Colourless fluid in which blood cells are suspended" , "Yellow liquid in blood" , "Colourless fluid of the blood and lymph" , "Part of blood; ionised material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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