Crossword Genius

Obscure playground rumour finally true (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

recondite

'obscure' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'playground rumour finally true' is the wordplay.
'playground' becomes 'rec' (short for recreation ground).
'rumour' becomes 'on dit' (term for rumour - literally 'it is said' in French).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'true' is 'e'.
'rec'+'ondit'+'e'='RECONDITE'

(Other definitions for recondite that I've seen before include "Abstruse" , "Difficult to understand" , "Enigmatic" , "Direct one to be obscure or difficult" , "not widely known" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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