Crossword Genius

Perhaps vending machine is getting spender confused outside (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dispenser

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'confused outside' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'perhaps vending machine is getting spender' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'is' is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'spender' is 'dpenser' which is within the left over letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dispenser that I've seen before include "one to give out" , "Container releasing its contents in prescribed amounts" , "Pharmacist" , "ATM" , "One filling prescription" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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