Ottoman officer edges away from infidel (3)
I believe the answer is:
aga
'ottoman officer' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'edges away from infidel' is the wordplay.
'edges away from' indicates the central letters.
'infidel' becomes 'pagan' (synonyms).
The middle of 'pagan' is 'AGA'.
(Other definitions for aga that I've seen before include "Turkish leader" , "Turkish governor" , "military leader" , "Heavy metal stove" , "Cooking range" .)