Crossword Genius

Warranting of French helping (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deserving

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'warranting' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'of french helping' is the wordplay.
'of french' becomes 'de' ('of' in French).
'helping' becomes 'serving' (a helping is a serving of food).
'de'+'serving'='DESERVING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deserving that I've seen before include "Meritorious" , "Worthy of favourable treatment" , "Expecting to receive" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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