Crossword Genius

Panel gives old man nothing (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dado

'panel' is the definition.
(dado is a kind of panel)

'old man nothing' is the wordplay.
'old man' becomes 'dad' (synonyms).
'nothing' becomes 'o' (looks like zero - 0).
'dad'+'o'='DADO'

'gives' is the link.

(Other definitions for dado that I've seen before include "Lower section of wall in room" , "part of wall specially decorated" , "Wood border running round room walls" , "low part of wall" , "Differently decorated lower part of an inside wall" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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