Crossword Genius

Slight or short back cover (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

affront

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'slight' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'short back cover' is the wordplay.
'short back' becomes 'af' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cover' becomes 'front' (both can mean a deceptive facade).
'af'+'front'='AFFRONT'

'or' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for affront that I've seen before include "Deliberate insult or show of disrespect" , "Offend; offence" , "Indignity" , "Insult openly" , "Insult to one's face" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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