Crossword Genius

Left after naked auntie — or before? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

until

'before?' is the definition.
(both can mean up to a certain point)

'left after naked auntie' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'naked' says to take the centre (outside letters removed so centre is unclothed).
The middle letters of 'auntie' are 'unti'.
'l' put after 'unti' is 'UNTIL'.

'or' is the link.

(Other definitions for until that I've seen before include "Up to (a point in time)" , "Not beyond (hour)" , "Unlit (anag.)" , "As late as" , "Pending such time as" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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