Crossword Genius

Snail messes around, showing a lack of purpose (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aimlessness

'a lack of purpose' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'snail messes around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'snail'+'messes'='snailmesses'
'snailmesses' with letters rearranged gives 'AIMLESSNESS'.

'showing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for aimlessness that I've seen before include "Futility" , "Lack of purpose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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