Has a meal in readiness (5)

I believe the answer is:

dines

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'has a meal' is the definition.
'dines' can be an answer for 'has' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'a meal' bit.

'in readiness' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'DINES' is hidden within 'readiness'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for dines that I've seen is " Eats".)

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

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