Crossword Genius

Turning to place flags, make a speech and disappear (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

evaporate

'disappear' is the definition.
(I know that disappear can be written as evaporate)

'turning to place flags make a speech' is the wordplay.
'turning' is a reversal indicator.
'to place flags' becomes 'pave' (as in paving flagstones).
'make a speech' becomes 'orate' (I've seen this in another clue).
'pave' in reverse letter order is 'evap'.
'evap'+'orate'='EVAPORATE'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for evaporate that I've seen before include "Turn from liquid to vapour" , "Turn into vapour, lose moisture" , "Change from liquid to gas" , "Change from liquid to vapour" , "Go from liquid to vapour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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