Crossword Genius

Keep bottling last of special ointment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salve

'ointment' is the definition.
(I know that ointment can be written as salve)

'keep bottling last of special' is the wordplay.
'keep' becomes 'save' (synonyms).
'bottling' is an insertion indicator (bottling is a kind of containing).
'last of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'special' is 'l'.
'save' going around 'l' is 'SALVE'.

(Other definitions for salve that I've seen before include "Laves with soothing stuff" , "Skin ointment" , "Save - ointment" , "Welcome" , "Something that soothes" .)

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