Crossword Genius

Light artillery in retreat hold firm (3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arc-lamp

'light' is the definition.
(arc lamp is a kind of light)

'artillery in retreat hold firm' is the wordplay.
'artillery' becomes 'RA' (Royal Artillery).
'in retreat' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'hold firm' becomes 'clamp' (clamp something down).
'ra' back-to-front is 'ar'.
'ar'+'clamp'='ARC-LAMP'

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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