Oddly when staff boxed, plied blade? (5)
I believe the answer is:
rowed
'plied blade?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rowed that I've seen before include "Created a noisy squabble" , "Oared" , "Took part in regatta, perhaps" , "Paddled" , "argued" .)