Crossword Genius

Steal missing top and clean (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wipe

'clean' is the definition.
(wipe can mean to clean something down)

'steal missing top' is the wordplay.
'steal' becomes 'swipe' (swiping is a kind of stealing).
'missing top' means to remove the first letter.
'swipe' with its first letter removed is 'WIPE'.

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for wipe that I've seen before include "mop" , "Cancel (tape)" , "Clean with e.g. cloth" , "use cloth" , "Erase recording" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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