Crossword Genius

Inhale at start of lecture and speak slowly (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drawl

'speak slowly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'inhale at start of lecture' is the wordplay.
'inhale' becomes 'draw' (drawing is a kind of inhaling).
'at start of' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'lecture' is 'l'.
'draw'+'l'='DRAWL'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for drawl that I've seen before include "Jimmy Stewart spoke with one" , "manner of speaking" , "Speak in slow tone" , "Speak slowly and affectedly" , "Slow speech with prolonged vowels" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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