What does the cryptic crossword clue "Tentative old fairy at a sort of arithmetic? (12)" mean?

The definition is "Tentative". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). EX (abbreviation="old") + PERI (synonym="fairy") + MENTAL (synonym="arithmetic?") = EXPERIMENTAL; definition: "Tentative" The answer is EXPERIMENTAL.

Tentative old fairy at a sort of arithmetic? (12)

Guardian Cryptic #29076 | 11 Across | 2023-05-22 flower

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