Crossword Genius

City of Leipzig, in East Germany, evacuated at outset (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

liege

'city' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Belgian city' mean 'liege' so perhaps 'city' could also mean 'liege')

'leipzig in east germany evacuated at outset' is the wordplay.
'at outset' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'leipzig in east germany evacuated' is 'LIEGE'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for liege that I've seen before include "Subject in history" , "Belgian city or feudal chief" , "Old sovereign" , "Vassal, subject" , "Belgian city or ancient superior" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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