Crossword Genius

Tinier cane is put into the fire (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

incinerate

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'fire' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'tinier cane is put into' is the wordplay.
'tinier cane' can be anagrammed to 'INCINERATE'.
However, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for incinerate that I've seen before include "Reduce to ash" , "Destroy by burning" , "Reduce to ashes" , "Completely burn" , "Fierily destroy" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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