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Spinning stick, first to break little bulb (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distaff

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'spinning stick' is the definition.
'distaff' can be an answer for 'stick' (distaff is a kind of stick). I'm not sure about the 'spinning' bit.

'first to break little bulb' is the wordplay.
'first to' becomes 'ist' (I've seen this in other clues).
'break' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters break into the word).
'little bulb' becomes 'daff' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ist' put within 'daff' is 'DISTAFF'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for distaff that I've seen before include "Female line" , "What holds spinning tow" , "Wool spinning spindle" , "helps one to unwind" , "Female - rod on which wool or flax is wound before spinning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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