Crossword Genius

Holding back eighth item to be auctioned? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loth

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

'holding back eighth' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'item to be auctioned?' is the wordplay.
'item' becomes 'lot' (I've seen this before).
'to be auctioned?' becomes 'h' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'lot'+'h'='LOTH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for loth that I've seen before include "Not keen" , "Reluctant, unwilling" , "Unwilling to obey" , "Reluctant or disinclined" , "Reluctant or averse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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