Crossword Genius

Married expert provides spice (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mace

'spice' is the definition.
(I know that mace is a type of spice)

'married expert' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm' (abbreviation, e.g. in genealogy).
'expert' becomes 'ace' (ace can informally mean very good).
'm'+'ace'='MACE'

'provides' is the link.

(Other definitions for mace that I've seen before include "Ceremonial staff or kind of spice" , "Staff of office for a flavouring" , "Tear gas - spice" , "put on the rack?" , "Staff - ground nutmeg" .)

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