Rubbed out vice around Los Angeles (5)
I believe the answer is:
slain
'rubbed' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'vice around los angeles' is the wordplay.
'vice' becomes 'sin'.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'los angeles' becomes 'LA' (abbreviation).
'sin' enclosing 'la' is 'SLAIN'.
'out' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for slain that I've seen before include "Violently killed" , "Slaughtered" , "Put to the sword" , "Killed, murdered" .)