Crossword Genius

Separated half of dishes, cracked (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dissolved

'separated' is the definition.

'half of dishes cracked' is the wordplay.
'half of' indicates taking half.
'cracked' becomes 'solved' (like a police case or a puzzle).
'dishes' halved is 'dis'.
'dis'+'solved'='DISSOLVED'

(Other definitions for dissolved that I've seen before include "Disbanded or broke up" , "Melted" , "Concluded" , "Reduced to liquid form" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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