Crossword Genius

Inclination to adopt very English raising agent (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leavening

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

'raising agent' is the definition.
'leavening' can be an answer for 'agent' (I have seen 'Influential agent' mean 'leavening' so perhaps 'agent' could also mean 'leavening'). I am not sure about the 'raising' bit.

'inclination to adopt very english' is the wordplay.
'inclination' becomes 'leaning' (incline can mean to lean).
'to adopt' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are taken in or adopted).
'very' becomes 'v' (abbreviation).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'v'+'e'='ve'
'leaning' enclosing 've' is 'LEAVENING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leavening that I've seen before include "Making to rise" , "Riser" , "Pervading, causing gradual change" , "Influential agent" , "eg Yeast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app