Crossword Genius

Never to dine around midday? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

noontide

'midday?' is the definition.
(I know that midday can be written as noontide)

'never to dine around' is the wordplay.
'never' becomes 'no' (I've seen this in other clues).
'around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to'+'dine'='todine'
'todine' with letters rearranged gives 'ontide'.
'no'+'ontide'='NOONTIDE'

(Other definitions for noontide that I've seen before include "Time" , "Midday" , "lunchtime? Certainly" , "12" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app