Crossword Genius

Feeling uncomfortable while outlining academic history (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

achy

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'feeling uncomfortable while outlining academic history' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'outlining academic history' is the wordplay.
'outlining' means to remove the middle letters (I've seen 'outline of' mean this (outline refers to the letters on the edges)).
'history' becomes 'hy' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'academic' with its centre removed is 'ac'.
'ac'+'hy'='ACHY'

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(Other definitions for achy that I've seen before include "Suffering minor pains" , "discomfort" , "Feeling in need of an aspirin?" , "Hurting" , "Causing steady dull pain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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