Crossword Genius

Gutted starfish - left fragment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shred

'fragment' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'gutted starfish left' is the wordplay.
'gutted' suggests removing the centre (to gut something is to remove its insides).
'left' becomes 'red' (I've seen this in other clues).
'starfish' with its centre removed is 'sh'.
'sh'+'red'='SHRED'

(Other definitions for shred that I've seen before include "Bit of cloth" , "Tiny amount" , "Thin scrap or strip" , "Torn piece of material" , "Rip up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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