Crossword Genius

Was maybe apt to be sniffed at (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smelt

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

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smelt that I've seen before include "half a guinea" , "Small silvery fish" , "Stank" , "were high" , "23 [FISH]" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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