Crossword Genius

Preserve crazy animation, not ordinary (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maintain

'preserve' is the definition.
('maintain' can be a synonym of 'preserve')

'crazy animation not ordinary' is the wordplay.
'crazy' indicates anagramming the letters.
'not' is a deletion indicator.
'ordinary' becomes 'o' (abbreviation e.g. O-Levels).
'animation' with 'o' taken away is 'animatin'.
'animatin' is an anagram of 'MAINTAIN'.

(Other definitions for maintain that I've seen before include "Look after the upkeep" , "Keep going" , "Continue with an opinion" , "Keep (a building) in good condition" , "Keep in existence or in repair" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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