Crossword Genius

Topless dress to startle (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rock

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

'topless dress' is the wordplay.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'dress' becomes 'frock' (frocking is a kind of dressing).
'frock' with its initial letter taken away is 'ROCK'.

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rock that I've seen before include "solid?" , "Hard confectionery made in sticks" , "Shake; boulder" , "wobble" , "Sway - very big stone" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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