Crossword Genius

Working with gear in top form (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operating

'working' is the definition.
('operate' can be a synonym of 'work')

'gear in top form' is the wordplay.
'form' is an anagram indicator (another form of the letters).
'gear'+'in'+'top'='gearintop'
'gearintop' with letters rearranged gives 'OPERATING'.

'with' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for operating that I've seen before include "Cutting" , "Directing or controlling, machinery say" , "at work" , "(Of machine) running" , "Active" .)

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