Crossword Genius

Simple copper perhaps uncovered nark before Yard (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elementary

'simple' is the definition.
('elementary' can be a synonym of 'simple')

'copper perhaps uncovered nark before yard' is the wordplay.
'copper perhaps' becomes 'element' (copper is a kind of element**).
'uncovered' means to look at the middle letters.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'yard' becomes 'y'.
The middle letters of 'nark' are 'ar'.
'element'+'ar'+'y'='ELEMENTARY'

(Other definitions for elementary that I've seen before include "Simple, introductory" , "No problem" , "Fundamental" , "most things, to Holmes" , "One precursor to 7 [SECONDARY MODERN]" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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