Crossword Genius

It's sloppy, with outer parts of latex (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lax

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'it's sloppy' is the definition.
(both can careless)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for lax that I've seen before include "Slack, not severe" , "Slipshod" , "Not sufficiently strict" , "Negligent" , "Flabby" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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