Crossword Genius

Clear criminal talent, working as a thief (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

larcenous

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'working as a thief' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'clear criminal talent' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates anagramming the letters.
'talent' becomes 'nous' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'clear' anagrammed gives 'larce'.
'larce'+'nous'='LARCENOUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for larcenous that I've seen before include "Like other crimes" , "Inclined to appropriate" , "concerning certain crimes" , "Criminal" , "Related to theft" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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