Crossword Genius

Tops on French mugs (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

surfaces

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'tops' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'on french mugs' is the wordplay.
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'french' becomes 'sur' (I've seen this in other clues).
'mugs' becomes 'faces' (mug can informally mean one's face).
'sur' put next to 'faces' is 'SURFACES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for surfaces that I've seen before include "The outsides of objects" , "They have length and breadth only" , "Outside layers" , "Upper or outer sides" , "planes - with 23a" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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