Crossword Genius

Quick to have bases around lake (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fleet

'quick' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bases around lake' is the wordplay.
'bases' becomes 'feet' ('foot' can be a synonym of 'base').
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'feet' placed around 'l' is 'FLEET'.

'to have' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for fleet that I've seen before include "ships, lots of them" , "bowler famously intercepted one once" , "Fast; London street, old prison" , "Naval force or collection of buses" , "Swift of foot - old London jail" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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