One plated a herb during branch office’s opening (9)

I believe the answer is:

armadillo

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'one plated' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a herb during branch office's opening' is the wordplay.
'herb' becomes 'dill' (dill is a kind of herb).
'during' indicates putting letters inside.
'branch' becomes 'arm' (synonyms).
'opening' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'offices' is 'o'.
'a'+'dill'='adill'
'arm'+'o'='armo'
'adill' put into 'armo' is 'ARMADILLO'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for armadillo that I've seen before include "Mammal covered with horny plates" , "Horny-plated creature" , "Scaly mammal" , "Bony-plated insectivore" , "American insect-eater" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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