Crossword Genius

Small dish taking short butt and ash, for example (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

entree

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'small dish' is the definition.
'entree' can be an answer for 'dish' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'small' bit.

'short butt and ash for example' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'butt' becomes 'end' (eg the butt or end of a cigarette).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ash for example' becomes 'tree' (ash is a kind of tree).
'end' with its last letter taken away is 'en'.
'en'+'tree'='ENTREE'

'taking' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for entree that I've seen before include "Means of access - course" , "Privilege of admission, or food dish" , "The right ot privilege of admission" , "Dish allowing one to go in?" , "Principal dish and right to enter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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