Crossword Genius

Gave in a hundred pounds to get hold of key drug (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acquiesced

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'gave' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a hundred pounds to get hold of key drug' is the wordplay.
'hundred' becomes 'c' (Roman numeral).
'pounds' becomes 'quid' (I've seen this in another clue).
'to get hold of' is an insertion indicator.
'key' becomes 'esc' ('Escape' key on a computer keyboard).
'drug' becomes 'e' (E is another name for ecstasy).
'esc'+'e'='esce'
'quid' going around 'esce' is 'quiesced'.
'a'+'c'+'quiesced'='ACQUIESCED'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for acquiesced that I've seen before include "Complied without putting up opposition" , "Assented" , "quietly given in" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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