Crossword Genius

Originally clinker-built, say, sailing ship (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cutter

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'sailing ship' is the definition.
(I know that cutter is a type of sailing ship)

'originally clinker-built say' is the wordplay.
'originally clinker-built' becomes 'c' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'say' becomes 'utter' (to utter something is to speak or say it).
'c'+'utter'='CUTTER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cutter that I've seen before include "Sailing boat - knife, perhaps" , "Ship's boat" , "Slicing tool of fast sailing ship" , "See 1 down" , "Boat; tailor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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