Crossword Genius

Durability of novelty gift not half bad (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

longevity

'durability' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'novelty gift not half bad' is the wordplay.
'not half' suggests halving the letters.
'bad' is an anagram indicator.
'gift' halved is 'gi'.
'novelty'+'gi'='noveltygi'
'noveltygi' anagrammed gives 'LONGEVITY'.

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for longevity that I've seen before include "Tiny glove (anag.)" , "Great length of life" , "endurance" , ""Length of days"" , "Duration of service" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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