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Odd lapse over time in China (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plates

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'odd lapse over time in china' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'odd lapse over time' is the wordplay.
'odd' indicates an anagram.
'over' is an insertion indicator.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'lapse' with letters rearranged gives 'plaes'.
'plaes' going around 't' is 'PLATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plates that I've seen before include "Shallow dishes" , "dentures" , "Staple for food containers" , "Strange staple for crockery items" , "Eating utensils of staple kind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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