Crossword Genius

Small vessel used by a shy tar (3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ash-tray

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'small vessel' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'used by a shy tar' is the wordplay.
'used' is an anagram indicator.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'a'+'shy'='ashy'
'ashy' after 'tar' is 'tarashy'.
'tarashy' anagrammed gives 'ASH-TRAY'.

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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