Crossword Genius

Something on a plate: it reflects to show wild animal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tiger

'wild animal' is the definition.

'something on a plate it reflects' is the wordplay.
'something on a plate' becomes 'reg' (as in a reg plate - a vehicle's registration plate).
'reflects' is a reversal indicator.
'reg'+'it'='regit'
'regit' in reverse letter order is 'TIGER'.

'to show' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for tiger that I've seen before include "Ferocious person" , "Shere Khan's type" , "___ Woods, golfer" , "Striped animal poetically burning bright" , "Fierce feline" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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