Crossword Genius

Legally prevent Eastern vessels returning (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

estop

'legally prevent' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'eastern vessels returning' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'vessels' becomes 'pots' (pot is a kind of vessel).
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pots' back-to-front is 'stop'.
'e'+'stop'='ESTOP'

(Other definitions for estop that I've seen before include "lawyer's bar" , "Legally prevent" , "Legally check" , "Bar, for a lawyer" , "Hinder, preclude (law)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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