Crossword Genius

Graphite plate mainly dry on return (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

disturb

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'graphite plate mainly dry on return' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'plate mainly dry on return' is the wordplay.
'plate' becomes 'dish' (type of plate).
'mainly' means to remove the last letter (virtually or mainly the word, but not all of it).
'dry' becomes 'brut' (type of wine).
'on return' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'brut' written backwards gives 'turb'.
'dish' with its final letter taken off is 'dis'.
'dis'+'turb'='DISTURB'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for disturb that I've seen before include "Upset, confuse" , "Upset or tamper with" , "Bother" , "Break" , "Trouble - interrupt" .)

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