Crossword Genius

Nothing to write its plain to see (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

open

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

'its plain to see' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'nothing to write' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (O resembles 0).
'to' says to put letters next to each other.
'write' becomes 'pen' (synonyms).
'o'+'pen'='OPEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for open that I've seen before include "Not yet decided - to start" , "Allowing access" , "Frank - accessible" , "'Frank, not secret (4)'" , "Plain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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