Crossword Genius

What could hold tape of privy last words turned up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spool

'what could hold tape' is the definition.
(cylinder which tape might be wound around)

'privy last words turned up' is the wordplay.
'privy' becomes 'loo' (loo is a kind of privy).
'last words' becomes 'PS' (last words in a letter).
'turned up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'loo'+'ps'='loops'
'loops' backwards is 'SPOOL'.

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for spool that I've seen before include "On which film is wound" , "Loops around with reel" , "Film reel; wind" , "Cylinder for winding film etc" , "Loops around a thread holder" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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