Crossword Genius

Superficial screening merely halved reproduction (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

facsimile

'reproduction' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'superficial screening merely halved' is the wordplay.
'superficial' becomes 'facile' (similar in meaning).
'screening' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are covered or screened by others).
'merely' becomes 'simply' (synonyms).
'halved' suggests halving the letters.
'simply' cut in half is 'sim'.
'facile' placed around 'sim' is 'FACSIMILE'.

(Other definitions for facsimile that I've seen before include "Exact copy of written or printed material" , "communication" , "Exact reproduction" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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