Crossword Genius

Emaciated figures did without it, in place of learning (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

academe

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'place of learning' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for academe that I've seen before include "The educational sector" , "World of scholarship" , "universities" , "The world of scholars" , "The world of learning" .)

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