Crossword Genius

Nothing helping speech (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oration

'speech' is the definition.
(oration is a kind of speech)

'nothing helping' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'o' (O resembles 0).
'helping' becomes 'ration' (a ration is a serving or helping).
'o'+'ration'='ORATION'

(Other definitions for oration that I've seen before include "eulogy" , "Making a speech" , "A formal or public speech" , "Ontario (anag)" , "An eloquent speech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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