Half-cut master at laboratory tipped over sweet-smelling oil (6)
I believe the answer is:
balsam
'sweet-smelling oil' is the definition.
'balsam' can be an answer for 'oil' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'sweet-smelling' bit.
'half-cut master at laboratory tipped' is the wordplay.
'half cut' suggests halving the letters.
'at' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'laboratory' becomes 'lab' (synonyms).
'tipped' says the letters should be written backwards (letters tipped over).
'master' cut in half is 'mas'.
'mas'+'lab'='maslab'
'maslab' backwards is 'BALSAM'.
'over' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for balsam that I've seen before include "Aromatic resin" , "Fragrant medicinal gum from tree" , "Aromatic ointment" , "flowering plant" , "Herb for healing" .)