Crossword Genius

Critic in a novel finally said some corrosive stuff (6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nitric acid

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'some corrosive stuff' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'critic in a novel finally said' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates anagramming the letters (letters in a new or novel order).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'said' is 'd'.
'critic'+'in'+'a'='criticina'
'criticina' anagrammed gives 'nitricaci'.
'nitricaci'+'d'='NITRIC ACID'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nitric acid that I've seen before include "Corrosive liquid" , "dangerous stuff?" , "component of explosive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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