A number may be lost by certain units (5)
I believe the answer is:
volts
'certain units' is the definition.
'volts' can be an answer for 'units' (volt is a kind of unit). I am unsure of the 'certain' bit.
'a number may be lost by' is the wordplay.
'a number' becomes 'v' (V is an example).
'may be' is an anagram indicator.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lost' anagrammed gives 'olts'.
'v'+'olts'='VOLTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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