Crossword Genius

Ordinary match involving minimum of verve? Inclined to peeve (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plaintive

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

'inclined to peeve' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'ordinary match involving minimum of verve?' is the wordplay.
'ordinary' becomes 'plain' (I've seen this in other clues).
'match' becomes 'tie' (tie can mean a sporting fixture).
'involving' indicates putting letters inside.
'minimum of' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'verve' is 'v'.
'tie' going around 'v' is 'tive'.
'plain'+'tive'='PLAINTIVE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plaintive that I've seen before include "Sounding sad and mournful" , "Maybe weeping" , "Wistful" , "Doleful" , "Pathetic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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