Crossword Genius

Novice I dined with in it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

initiate

'novice' is the definition.
(I know that novice can be written as initiate)

'i dined with in it' is the wordplay.
'dined' becomes 'ate' (I've seen this in another clue).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'i'+'ate'='iate'
'in'+'it'='init'
'iate' put after 'init' is 'INITIATE'.

(Other definitions for initiate that I've seen before include "having special knowledge" , "Originate" , "Start - trigger" , "Cause to begin, launch" , "Cause (process) to begin" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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