Crossword Genius

Sail to set up or put up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

royal

'sail' is the definition.
(type of sail)

'set up or put up' is the wordplay.
'set up' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters go up).
'put' becomes 'lay' (as in laying or putting something down).
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'or' backwards is 'ro'.
'lay' backwards is 'yal'.
'ro'+'yal'='ROYAL'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for royal that I've seen before include "Queen, say?" , "Sail" , "Wills, perhaps" , "This blue is deep and vivid" , "one in palace?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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