Crossword Genius

Trifles with male over curvy characters (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

messes

'trifles with' is the definition.

'male over curvy characters' is the wordplay.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'over' says to put letters next to each other.
'curvy characters' becomes 'esses' (more than one S).
'm'+'esses'='MESSES'

(Other definitions for messes that I've seen before include "Military dining rooms" , "States of disorderliness and army canteens" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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