Crossword Genius

Condition of being new in service (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acne

'condition' is the definition.
(acne is a kind of condition)

'being new in service' is the wordplay.
'being new' becomes 'n'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'service' becomes 'ace' (ace is a kind of service**).
'n' going into 'ace' is 'ACNE'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for acne that I've seen before include "Spotty skin condition" , "Skin affliction" , "Skin spots" , "Adolescent skin disease" , "Teenage skin blemish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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