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Maintains
focus
for
cryptic
clues
(6)
Maintains focus for cryptic clues (6)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
Maintains is the definition, in the sense of pleads a case. The wordplay takes the focus (central letter) of "cryptic" to give P, then adds LEADS as a synonym for clues, building up to PLEADS.