Crossword Genius

Pacify primate by feeding it vegetables (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

appease

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pacify primate' is the definition.
'appease' can be an answer for 'pacify' (synonyms). I'm unsure of the 'primate' bit.

'feeding it vegetables' is the wordplay.
'feeding' is an insertion indicator (one word is fed by another set of letters).
'it' becomes 'ape' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'vegetables' becomes 'peas' (peas are a type of vegetable).
'ape' going around 'peas' is 'APPEASE'.

'by' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for appease that I've seen before include "Placate (someone) by giving in" , "be satisfying" , "To behave like Chamberlain" , "Placate (someone) by agreeing to their demands" , "Make peace with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app