Crossword Genius

Fool touching gunpowder ingredient (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nitre

'gunpowder ingredient' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'fool touching' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'nit' (both can mean a stupid person).
'touching' becomes 're' (both can mean concerning or relating to).
'nit'+'re'='NITRE'

(Other definitions for nitre that I've seen before include "Gunpowder ingredient" , "explosive component" , "Also known as salt-petre" , "food preservative" , "safeguard against decay" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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