Crossword Genius

Secret ice store melted (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

esoteric

'secret' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'ice store melted' is the wordplay.
'melted' indicates an anagram.
'ice'+'store'='icestore'
'icestore' with letters rearranged gives 'ESOTERIC'.

(Other definitions for esoteric that I've seen before include "Tie score (anagram)" , "Understood by only a few people" , "Secret kind of coteries" , "hidden" , "Understandable by only an enlightened inner circle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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