Crossword Genius

Damper spot had to be blasted (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dashpot

'damper' is the definition.
(a dashpot dampens shock)

'spot had to be blasted' is the wordplay.
'to be blasted' indicates anagramming the letters.
'spot'+'had'='spothad'
'spothad' is an anagram of 'DASHPOT'.

(Other definitions for dashpot that I've seen before include "Damper device" , "Mechanical device" , "Device for damping vibrations" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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