Crossword Genius

Look always to keep dry dictionary? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gazetteer

'dictionary?' is the definition.
(gazetteer is a kind of dictionary)

'look always to keep dry' is the wordplay.
'look' becomes 'gaze' (gaze is a kind of look**).
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'to keep' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'dry' becomes 'tt' (abbreviation for teetotal).
'gaze'+'eer'='gazeeer'
'gazeeer' placed around 'tt' is 'GAZETTEER'.

(Other definitions for gazetteer that I've seen before include "Geographical guide" , "places booked" , "Geographical dictionary" , "Book of place names" , "Geographical reference" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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