By depriving a camper of water (3)

I believe the answer is:

per

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'by' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'depriving a camper of water' is the wordplay.
'PER' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I am unsure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for per that I've seen before include "According to" , "Preposition meaning for each" , "Preposition indicating by means of" , "For each or every" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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