Crossword Genius

In darkness, makes cuts in middle of speech (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eclipse

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'in darkness' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'cuts in middle of speech' is the wordplay.
'cuts' becomes 'clips' (clip is a kind of cut).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'middle of' says to take the centre.
The central letters of 'speech' are 'ee'.
'clips' put inside 'ee' is 'ECLIPSE'.

'makes' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eclipse that I've seen before include "A deliquium" , "Surpass, outshine" , "Heavenly phenomenon" , "Heavenly event; drake's time of dull plumage" , "Throw into shade, like a heavenly body" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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