Oracle sat around steps (9)

I believe the answer is:

escalator

'steps' is the definition.
(I have seen 'effortless steps' mean 'escalator' so perhaps 'steps' could also mean 'escalator')

'oracle sat around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates an anagram.
'oracle'+'sat'='oraclesat'
'oraclesat' with letters rearranged gives 'ESCALATOR'.

(Other definitions for escalator that I've seen before include "financial clause" , "effortless steps" , "Lift" , "Carol eats (anag.)" , "the easy way up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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