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Top boxes a little bit basic (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

limited

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'basic' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'top boxes a little bit' is the wordplay.
'top' becomes 'lid' (lid is a kind of top).
'boxes' means one lot of letters goes inside another (the outside letters must 'box' inside letters in).
'a little bit' becomes 'mite' (I've seen this in another clue).
'lid' enclosing 'mite' is 'LIMITED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for limited that I've seen before include "Restricted in extent" , "Confined within bounds" , "Restricted in extent/size" , "plc" , "Checked" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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