Crossword Genius

Substitute delivered when copper put in large order (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

locum

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'substitute' is the definition.
(locum can mean a substitute)

'copper put in large order' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'Cu' (chemical symbol).
'put in' is an insertion indicator.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'order' becomes 'om' (Order of Merit).
'l'+'om'='lom'
'cu' inserted into 'lom' is 'LOCUM'.

'delivered when' acts as a link.
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(Other definitions for locum that I've seen before include "Relief doctor" , "Someone standing in temporarily for another of the same profession" , "Temporary deputy for doctor" , "Stand-in physician" , "Doctor's stand-in" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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