Crossword Genius

Bit scared after agent oddly disappeared (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gnawed

'bit' is the definition.
(gnawing is a kind of biting)

'scared after agent oddly disappeared' is the wordplay.
'scared' becomes 'awed' (awing is a kind of scaring).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'oddly disappeared' means one should take alternating letters (letters in odd-numbered positions removed).
The alternate letters of 'agent' are 'gn'.
'awed' after 'gn' is 'GNAWED'.

(Other definitions for gnawed that I've seen before include "Persistently nibbled" , "Chewed at like dog with bone" , "Wore away; champed" , "Bit or chewed persistently" , "Bit persistently at something hard" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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