Crossword Genius

Understands king snakes (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grasps

'understands' is the definition.
(grasping is a kind of understanding)

'king snakes' is the wordplay.
'king' becomes 'gr'.
'snakes' becomes 'asps' (asp is a kind of snake).
'gr'+'asps'='GRASPS'

(Other definitions for grasps that I've seen before include "Understands" , "Grips" , "Takes firm grip of" , "Takes hold of firmly" , "Clutches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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