Crossword Genius

A speaker who is skilled at splitting alternatives (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orator

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

'a speaker' is the definition.
(I know that orator is a type of speaker)

'is skilled at splitting alternatives' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'at' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'who' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for orator that I've seen before include "Eloquent type" , "One addressing" , "An impressive public speaker" , "A gifted public speaker" , "One who holds forth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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