Crossword Genius

Make spit obtained from vital sea (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

salivate

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'make spit' is the definition.
(to salivate is to produce saliva)

'from vital sea' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates anagramming the letters (from the letters).
'vital'+'sea'='vitalsea'
'vitalsea' anagrammed gives 'SALIVATE'.

'obtained' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

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(Other definitions for salivate that I've seen before include "Become moist in mouth" , "Lisa a vet (anag.)" , "Water at the mouth" , "Produce moisture in mouth" , "Drool" .)

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