Crossword Genius

Describe the current state of affairs in form? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

enlighten

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

'state of affairs in form?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'describe the current' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'the' is 'hte' which is located in the answer.
'current' could be 'i' (symbol for electric current) and 'i' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for enlighten that I've seen before include "Explain" , "Give knowledge and understanding to" , "Provide illumination" , "Apprise" , "Free from ignorance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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