Crossword Genius

Wipes day with country model - sad start (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dusts

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

'wipes day' is the definition.
'dusts' can be an answer for 'wipes' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'day' bit.

'with country model sad start' is the wordplay.
'with' indicates putting letters inside.
'country' becomes 'US' (US is an example).
'model sad start' becomes 'dts' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'us' put within 'dts' is 'DUSTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dusts that I've seen before include "Performs housework" , "Wipes" , "Cleans a surface with a cloth" , "Removes powder with a cloth" , "Polishes" .)

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