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Old writer used it for a dip popular on the weekend approaching spring (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inkwell

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'old writer used it for a dip' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'popular on the weekend approaching spring' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'the weekend' becomes 'k' (I've seen this in other clues).
'approaching' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'spring' becomes 'well' (I've seen this before**).
'in'+'k'+'well'='INKWELL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inkwell that I've seen before include "Container sunk unto a desk of old" , "Old desktop pot" , "Old school desk feature" , "Small pot for holding writing fluid" , "Writing fluid holder" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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