Crossword Genius

Require Norse god to be found in confines of broken shrub (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blackthorn

'shrub' is the definition.
(I know that blackthorn is a type of shrub)

'require norse god to be found in confines of broken' is the wordplay.
'require' becomes 'lack' (I've seen this in another clue).
'norse god' becomes 'thor' (Thor is an example).
'to be found in' is an insertion indicator.
'confines of' suggests removing the centre (the letters at the borders or confines are used).
'broken' with its middle taken out is 'bn'.
'lack'+'thor'='lackthor'
'lackthor' inserted within 'bn' is 'BLACKTHORN'.

(Other definitions for blackthorn that I've seen before include "Sloe bush" , "Tree producing sloes" , "Sloe-bearing shrub" , "A prickly thing" , "Sloe-bearing bush" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.