Crossword Genius

Lots are so docile (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

biddable

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'docile' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'lots are' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'lots' could be 'd' and 'd' is found in the answer.
'are' could be 'a' (short for 'are', historical unit of measurement) and 'a' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'so' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for biddable that I've seen before include "Willing to obey" , "Meekly ready to follow instructions" , "Ready to be instructed" , "Obedient" , "Willing to be instructed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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