Crossword Genius

Star side beaten by total accident (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

disaster

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'total accident' is the definition.
'disaster' can be an answer for 'accident' (disaster is a kind of accident). I am unsure of the 'total' bit.

'star side beaten' is the wordplay.
'beaten' indicates anagramming the letters.
'star'+'side'='starside'
'starside' with letters rearranged gives 'DISASTER'.

'by' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for disaster that I've seen before include "Great tradegy or cataclysm" , "Calamity, tragedy" , "terrible trouble" , "Extreme event resulting in great loss and misfortune" , "complete failure" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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