Cold one left soldier diamonds (5)

I believe the answer is:

algid

'cold' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'one left soldier diamonds' is the wordplay.
'one left' becomes 'al' (I've seen this in other clues).
'soldier' becomes 'GI' (GI can mean a US soldier).
'diamonds' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for the card suit diamonds).
'al'+'gi'+'d'='ALGID'

(Another definition for algid that I've seen is " chilly".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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