Crossword Genius

Unexpectedly scariest, a way up (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staircase

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'way up' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'unexpectedly scariest a' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' is an anagram indicator.
'scariest'+'a'='scariesta'
'scariesta' with letters rearranged gives 'STAIRCASE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for staircase that I've seen before include "Group of joined locks on a canal" , "part of the mansion?" , "Indoor flight" , "Means of moving from one floor to another" , "A group of linked canal locks" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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