Familiar and cute, served well externally (10)

I believe the answer is:

acquainted

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'familiar' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'cute served well externally' is the wordplay.
'cute' becomes 'quaint' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'served well' becomes 'aced' (I've seen this in another clue).
'externally' indicates putting letters inside (some letters go on the outside of others).
'quaint' inserted inside 'aced' is 'ACQUAINTED'.

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for acquainted that I've seen before include "Notified" , "on good terms" , "Well-versed" , "Familiar (with)" , "knowing a little" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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