Crossword Genius

Compact doesn't seem regular (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dense

'compact' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'doesn't seem regular' is the wordplay.
'regular' means one should take alternating letters.
'doesnt'+'seem'='doesntseem'
The alternating letters of 'doesntseem' are 'DENSE'.

(Other definitions for dense that I've seen before include "Thick, impenetrable" , "Needs (anag) -- thick" , "Stupid, crowded together" , "Closely crowded together" , "Close knit" .)

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