Daily Mail 12,896 (Friday)

[alanogden]

4d Crude _______ reproduces perhaps? (5) S?O?E
Lots of possible answers but none make sense to me!

[Aquagility]

Crude spore - see Google

[alanogden]

Thanks for that suggestion - I had a look at Google but not convinced.

[johnalex]

crudespore<>reproduces (anag)

[Aquagility]

Very well spotted, johnalex. I was assuming that the word itself gave the link to reproduction.

[dr john]

This is known as a 'comp.anag. & lit' clue (compilation anagram, and literally) where the dash represents the letters required to complete the angram, and the whole clue acts as a definition (somewhat vague in this case).

[johnalex]

Thanks Aquagility, although you are still correct. Two clues for the price of one! ☺ja

[alanogden]

That is really helpful! Thanks to all who contributed.