Establishes one is clearly surprised (6)
I believe the answer is:
starts
'establishes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with creating things as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starts that I've seen before include "Begins or causes to begin" , "reacts in surprise" , "Commences" , "Begins - or jumps as with fright" , "Reacts in shock" .)