Crossword Genius

Sheer genius absorbing new declaration (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

utterance

'declaration' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'sheer genius absorbing new' is the wordplay.
'sheer' becomes 'utter' ('utter' can be a synonym of 'sheer'**).
'genius' becomes 'ace' ('ace' can be a synonym of 'genius').
'absorbing' is an insertion indicator.
'new' becomes 'n'.
'ace' going around 'n' is 'ance'.
'utter'+'ance'='UTTERANCE'

(Other definitions for utterance that I've seen before include "Something said" , "Word" , "Statement" , "sermon, say" , "Vocal expression" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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