Crossword Genius

Quietly distribute root (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shallot

'root' is the definition.

'quietly distribute' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'sh'.
'distribute' becomes 'allot' ('allot' can be a synonym of 'distribute'**).
'sh'+'allot'='SHALLOT'

(Other definitions for shallot that I've seen before include "salad vegetable" , "Small onion" , "One may get into a stew" , "Edible onion-like bulb" , "Host all with kind of onion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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