Crossword Genius

Nonsense! The vehicle backed when the other appeared! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tractor

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

'the other appeared' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'nonsense the vehicle backed' is the wordplay.
'nonsense' becomes 'rot' (I've seen this before).
'the vehicle' becomes 'cart' (cart is a kind of vehicle).
'backed' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'rot'+'cart'='rotcart'
'rotcart' in reverse letter order is 'TRACTOR'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tractor that I've seen before include "I can draw" , "Farm machine used for pulling" , "Tower" , "Vehicle for pulling farm machinery" , "Vehicle used on farms" .)

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