Robot with human appearance also starts rooting out papers (7)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
android
'robot' is the definition.
(android is a kind of robot)
'also starts rooting out papers' is the wordplay.
'also' becomes 'and' (both can mean in addition).
'starts' says to take the initial letters.
'papers' becomes 'ID' (identification papers).
The first letters of 'rooting out' is 'ro'.
'and'+'ro'+'id'='ANDROID'
'with human appearance' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for android that I've seen before include "Operating system for mobile devices" , "Being not exactly human" , "In science fiction, a robot in human form" , "Robot resembling human being" , "Humanoid robot" .)