Crossword Genius

Good quality fur takes a time to come to life (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

germinate

'come to life' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'good quality fur takes a time' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'quality fur' becomes 'ermine'.
'takes' is an insertion indicator.
'time' becomes 't'.
'a'+'t'='at'
'ermine' going around 'at' is 'erminate'.
'g'+'erminate'='GERMINATE'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for germinate that I've seen before include "Mere giant (anag) - start to grow" , "Put forth shoots, develop and grow" , "Start to grow - a regiment (anag)" , "come to life" , "Sprout as in a regiment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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