Crossword Genius

Convict at one time lost toe (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inmate

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

'convict' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'at one time lost toe' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'at' is within the answer.
'one' could be 'me' (a setter might use 'one' to humourously mean 'me') and 'me' is present in the remaining letters.
The remaining letters 'in' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inmate that I've seen before include "Person confined to institution" , "One living in institution" , "One is confined to an institution" , "One held in prison" , "Someone confined, eg to hospital or prison" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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