Crossword Genius

Vice perhaps affected inspiring student (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clamp

'vice' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

'affected inspiring student' is the wordplay.
'affected' becomes 'camp' (camp can mean exaggerated or affected).
'inspiring' indicates putting letters inside.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'camp' enclosing 'l' is 'CLAMP'.

'perhaps' is the link.

(Other definitions for clamp that I've seen before include "bracket" , "Big, important" , "Device for holding things tightly" , "stack of bricks" , "Of car, render immobile for parking offence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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