Crossword Genius

Inclined to appropriate action - hung around with Spooner's relation (5-8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

light-fingered

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'inclined to appropriate action' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'hung around with spooner's relation' is the wordplay.
'hung around' becomes 'lingered' ('linger' can be a synonym of 'hang around').
'with' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'spooner's relation' becomes 'ghtfi' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'lingered' placed around 'ghtfi' is 'LIGHT-FINGERED'.

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(Other definitions for light-fingered that I've seen before include "Having a propensity for stealing" , "Given to thieving" , "Like a pickpocket" , "Thievish" , "Adept at thieving" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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