Cryptic crossword clue
Permeating in general with irony — very ‘in’ 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 plus 3 letter word LEAVENING (-)

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
L
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Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does LEAVENING (-) mean?

LEAVENING (-) verb
  1. To add a leavening agent.
  2. To cause to rise by fermentation.
  3. To temper an action or decision.
  4. To imbue; to infect; to vitiate.
  5. To rise or become larger.
LEAVENING (-) noun
  1. The process by which something is leavened.
LEAVENING (-) adjective
  1. Making light by aeration.
LEAVENING (-) noun
  1. Any organism or substance added to a food product (such as dough or batter) that makes it rise when cooked.

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