Crossword Genius

Blackened and marked around the central heating (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scorched

'blackened' is the definition.
('scorch' can be a synonym of 'blacken')

'marked around the central heating' is the wordplay.
'marked' becomes 'scored' ('score' can be a synonym of 'mark').
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'the central heating' becomes 'ch'.
'scored' placed around 'ch' is 'SCORCHED'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for scorched that I've seen before include "Seared" , "Fruit-growing area" , "Charred, blackened" , "Slightly burned" , "got very heated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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