Crossword Genius

To reverse one clasp top on the ear (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

otic

'the ear' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'to reverse one clasp top' is the wordplay.
'reverse' is a reversal indicator.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'top' says to take the initial letters (in a down clue, the first letter is top).
The initial letter of 'clasp' is 'c'.
'to' written backwards gives 'ot'.
'ot'+'i'+'c'='OTIC'

'on' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for otic that I've seen before include "Listener's" , "organ" , "relating to area incorporating canal" , "about hearing" , "in relation to the listener" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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