Crossword Genius

Claw oddly scratched floor coated with bronze (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

talon

'claw' is the definition.
(talon is a kind of claw)

'oddly scratched floor coated with bronze' is the wordplay.
'oddly scratched' means one should take alternating letters (letters in odd-numbered positions removed).
'coated with' indicates putting letters inside.
'bronze' becomes 'tan' (both can mean to get a sun tan).
The alternate letters of 'floor' are 'lo'.
'lo' inserted into 'tan' is 'TALON'.

(Other definitions for talon that I've seen before include "hunting hook" , "Large claw" , "Bird of prey's claw" , "Eg, an eagle's claw" , "a gripping one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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