Crossword Genius

Austere Pole with evidence of sunbathing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spartan

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'austere' is the definition.
(I know that austere can be written as spartan)

'pole with evidence of sunbathing' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'spar' (spar is a kind of pole).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'evidence of sunbathing' becomes 'tan' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'spar'+'tan'='SPARTAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spartan that I've seen before include "Of conditions, simple and harsh as for ancient Greeks" , "Severe" , "Lacking comfort or luxury" , "Austere, lacking comfort" , "Not comfortable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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