Crossword Genius

Everything puts off top slave (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

helot

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'slave' is the definition.
(slave in ancient Sparta)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for helot that I've seen before include "Spartan slave" , "Serf of ancient Sparta" , "Spartan serf" , "Greek serf" , "downtrodden?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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