Crossword Genius

Rent, but not from Royal Navy (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

torn

'rent' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'not from royal navy' is the wordplay.
'not' becomes 'to' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'from' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'royal navy' becomes 'rn'.
'to'+'rn'='TORN'

'but' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for torn that I've seen before include "Rent, ripped" , "Removed forcibly" , "Lacerated - in two minds" , "?Curtain (Hitchcock thriller)" , "Undecided between two" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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