Crossword Genius

Very smart but initially a bit wet (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brainy

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

'very smart but initially' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a bit wet' is the wordplay.
'a bit' becomes 'b' (this might be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'wet' becomes 'rainy' ('rainy' can be similar in meaning to 'wet').
'b'+'rainy'='BRAINY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brainy that I've seen before include "Intellectual" , "Clever, got lots of grey matter" , "Showing intelligence" , "Intelligent, clever." , "smart?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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