Crossword Genius

Promise to give meat and drink to a setter (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wordplay

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'meat and drink to a setter' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'promise to give' is the wordplay.
'promise' becomes 'word' (as in 'I give you my word').
'to give' becomes 'play' (I've seen this in another clue).
'word'+'play'='WORDPLAY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wordplay that I've seen before include "pun?" , "Making puns" , "Wit" , "verbal shenanigans" , "Puns etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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