Crossword Genius

Turn to gas with Virginia: Prince to speak after Epstein's introduction (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

evaporate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'turn to gas' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'virginia prince to speak after epstein's introduction' is the wordplay.
'virginia' becomes 'va' (US state abbreviation).
'prince' becomes 'p' (abbreviation).
'to speak' becomes 'orate' (orating is a kind of speaking).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'introduction' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'epsteins' is 'e'.
'va'+'p'+'orate'='vaporate'
'vaporate' put after 'e' is 'EVAPORATE'.

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for evaporate that I've seen before include "Desiccate, dry up" , "Change from liquid to gas" , "Dissolve into the air" , "Turn from liquid to vapour" , "Fade away gradually" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app