Crossword Genius

Starter spread over large dish (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plate

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

'large dish' is the definition.
'plate' can be an answer for 'dish' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'large' bit.

'starter spread over' is the wordplay.
'starter' becomes 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'spread' becomes 'pate' (pate is a kind of spread).
'over' is an insertion indicator.
'l' inserted inside 'pate' is 'PLATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plate that I've seen before include "Flower" , "Salver" , "Flat dish; gold and silver ware" , "Cover with metal" , "Illustration on special paper in a book" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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