Crossword Genius

Small component and mostly simple (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spartan

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

'small component and mostly' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'component' becomes 'part' (a component is a part of something).
'mostly' means to remove the last letter.
'and' with its final letter taken off is 'an'.
's'+'part'+'an'='SPARTAN'

(Other definitions for spartan that I've seen before include "Bleak - rigorous - austere" , "Severe" , "Rather austere" , "Not comfortable" , "Indifferent to comfort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app