Crossword Genius

Dishes sent back: long time, wait with only sides cleared off (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delftware

'dishes' is the definition.

'sent back long time wait with only sides cleared off' is the wordplay.
'sent back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'long time' becomes 'era' (a long period of time).
'with only sides' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (keep the side letters).
'cleared off' becomes 'fled'.
'wait' with its middle removed is 'wt'.
'era'+'wt'+'fled'='erawtfled'
'erawtfled' written backwards gives 'DELFTWARE'.

(Other definitions for delftware that I've seen before include "Decorative stuff" , "pottery" , "crockery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app