Crossword Genius

Chic male wandering in compound? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chemical

'compound?' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'chic male wandering' is the wordplay.
'wandering' is an anagram indicator.
'chic'+'male'='chicmale'
'chicmale' with letters rearranged gives 'CHEMICAL'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for chemical that I've seen before include "Of a substance such as ethanol" , "Artificial compound" , "Laboratory substance" , "Chic male (anag.)" , "Of the interactions of substances" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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