Crossword Genius

Meant to shower after son (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spelt

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'meant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'shower after son' is the wordplay.
'shower' becomes 'pelt' (showers of rain may be said to pelt).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'pelt' after 's' is 'SPELT'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spelt that I've seen before include "cereal" , "Given letter by letter; wheat" , "Made up a word" , "Inferior species of wheat" , "Variety of wheat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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