Crossword Genius

Start without a meal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lunch

'meal' is the definition.
(I know that lunch is a type of meal)

'start without a' is the wordplay.
'start' becomes 'launch' (launching is a kind of starting).
'without' suggests deleting specific letters.
'launch' with 'a' removed is 'LUNCH'.

(Another definition for lunch that I've seen is " Midday meal".)

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