Crossword Genius

Doctor allowed to conceal operation tear (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

droplet

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'tear' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'doctor allowed to conceal operation' is the wordplay.
'doctor' becomes 'dr' ('Dr' can be a synonym of 'doctor').
'allowed' becomes 'let' (I've seen this before).
'to conceal' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'operation' becomes 'op'.
'dr'+'let'='drlet'
'drlet' going around 'op' is 'DROPLET'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for droplet that I've seen before include "Small sphere of liquid" , "Small globule" , "Small amount of liquid" , "tiny amount of liquid" , "Small blob of liquid" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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