Crossword Genius

Select starter of shore-caught plaice, battered (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

special

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'select starter' is the definition.
'special' can be an answer for 'select' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'starter' bit.

'shore-caught plaice battered' is the wordplay.
'shore-caught' becomes 's' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'battered' indicates an anagram.
'plaice' anagrammed gives 'pecial'.
's'+'pecial'='SPECIAL'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for special that I've seen before include "Exceptional or particular" , "Particular, peculiar" , "Distinguished" , "Dish not on usual menu" , "An addition to the standard menu" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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