Crossword Genius

Stretching ringed asp out (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spreading

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

'stretching' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ringed asp out' is the wordplay.
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'ringed'+'asp'='ringedasp'
'ringedasp' anagrammed gives 'SPREADING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spreading that I've seen before include "town, taking over nearby countryside?" , "Making broader" , "Expanding" , "Covering more ground" , "Opening out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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