Crossword Genius

Gave a hand? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dealt

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gave a hand' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'hand' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hand' could be 'deal' (synonyms) and 'deal' is present in the answer.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dealt that I've seen before include "Carried out business" , "Delta (anag.)" , "Distributed playing cards" , "Delivered" , "Traded" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail, the Universal, The Wall Street Journal and the LA Times.
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