Crossword Genius

Spike's line brilliant (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lace

'spike's' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'line brilliant' is the wordplay.
'line' becomes 'l' (used when specifying particular lines from a poem).
'brilliant' becomes 'ace' (ace can informally mean very good).
'l'+'ace'='LACE'

(Other definitions for lace that I've seen before include "Famous play ''Arsenic and Old . . . .''" , "Fine needlework" , "Fine decorative fabric" , "Fabric made in openwork design" , "Spike - ornamental fabric" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sun.
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