Crossword Genius

Suggesting Communist takes nothing before fast (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

redolent

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

'suggesting communist takes nothing before fast' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'communist takes nothing before fast' is the wordplay.
'communist' becomes 'red' (red can informally mean communist).
'takes' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'fast' becomes 'lent' (Lent is a period of fasting in Christianity).
'red'+'o'+'lent'='REDOLENT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for redolent that I've seen before include "Fragrant; suggestive (of)" , "Aromatic" , "Strongly reminiscent (of something)" , "Smelling strongly or suggestive of it" , "Strongly suggesting" .)

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