Crossword Genius

Material for judge to rip apart (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lacerate

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

'rip apart' is the definition.
'lacerate' can be an answer for 'rip' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'apart' bit.

'material for judge' is the wordplay.
'material' becomes 'lace' (lace is a kind of material).
'for' says to put letters next to each other.
'judge' becomes 'rate' (rating is a kind of judging).
'lace'+'rate'='LACERATE'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lacerate that I've seen before include "Clare ate (anag)" , "Clear tea (anag.)" , "Injure be tearing, wound roughly" , "Tear or make deep cuts" , "Tear or gash roughly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and The Irish Times.
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