Crossword Genius

Strange article about invention (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alien

'strange' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'article about invention' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'invention' becomes 'lie' (something invented or made up).
'an' enclosing 'lie' is 'ALIEN'.

(Other definitions for alien that I've seen before include "movie!" , "Foreign (from outer space?)" , "Martian, say" , "Stranger" , "ET" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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