Crossword Genius

Clueless playing near one square (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asinine

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'clueless' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'playing near one square' is the wordplay.
'playing near' becomes 'as' (I've seen this in other clues. I am not sure about the 'near' bit.).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'square' becomes 'nine' (I've seen this before).
'as'+'i'+'nine'='ASININE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asinine that I've seen before include "Jenny's often like this" , "Really silly, ridiculous" , "Daft" , "Stubborn" , "Donkey-like" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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