Crossword Genius

A month back, new plane shape (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

octagon

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'plane shape' is the definition.
'octagon' can be an answer for 'shape' (octagon is a kind of polygon). I'm unsure of the 'plane' bit.

'a month back new' is the wordplay.
'a month' becomes 'oct' (abbreviation for October).
'back' becomes 'ago' ('years back' means 'years ago').
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'oct'+'ago'+'n'='OCTAGON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for octagon that I've seen before include "Eight sided figure" , "plane figure" , "Eight-sided room" , "Figure with 8 sides" , "Shape of a square with the corners cut off" .)

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