Crossword Genius

Judges way to turn instruments holding article (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

evaluates

'judges' is the definition.
(evaluating is a kind of judging)

'way to turn instruments holding article' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 'ave' (abbreviation for avenue, a type of 'way'**).
'to turn' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'instruments' becomes 'lutes' (lute is a kind of instrument).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'article' becomes 'a' (indefinite article).
'ave' in reverse letter order is 'eva'.
'lutes' enclosing 'a' is 'luates'.
'eva'+'luates'='EVALUATES'

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