Crossword Genius

Quiet lieutenant accepts first-class braid (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plait

'braid' is the definition.
(I know that braid can be written as plait)

'quiet lieutenant accepts first-class' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'lieutenant' becomes 'lt' (abbreviation for lieutenant).
'accepts' is an insertion indicator.
'first class' becomes 'ai' (A1 - top quality).
'lt' enclosing 'ai' is 'lait'.
'p'+'lait'='PLAIT'

(Other definitions for plait that I've seen before include "Braided pigtail" , "Weave hair" , "Intertwine" , "Stranded piece of hair" , "A rope of hair (5)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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