Minimal cutting of purple aster (5)
I believe the answer is:
least
'minimal' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'of purple aster' is the wordplay.
'of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'LEAST' is hidden within 'purple aster'.
'cutting' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for least that I've seen before include "Most slight" , "Minimal amount" , "No more petty" , "Lowest amount" , "Smallest (in significance)" .)