Crossword Genius

Notice in quarrels some piercing objects (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bradawls

'some piercing objects' is the definition.
(a bradawl is a tool for piercing holes)

'notice in quarrels' is the wordplay.
'notice' becomes 'ad' (both can mean an advertisement).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'quarrels' becomes 'brawls' (brawling is a kind of quarreling).
'ad' placed within 'brawls' is 'BRADAWLS'.

(Other definitions for bradawls that I've seen before include "Those boring" , "They bore" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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