Crossword Genius

State part of trade law, a rebuttal (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delaware

'state' is the definition.
(Delaware is an example)

'part of trade law a rebuttal' is the wordplay.
'part of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'DELAWARE' is hidden in the letters of 'trade law a rebuttal'.

(Other definitions for delaware that I've seen before include "This state strangely awed Lear" , "The First State (to ratify the US constitution)" , "state of the east" , "American state, capital Dover" , "State of northeast US" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app