Crossword Genius

Curse Mike cutting several articles (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

anathema

'curse' is the definition.
(anathema can mean a curse)

'mike cutting several articles' is the wordplay.
'mike' becomes 'M' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'cutting' is an insertion indicator (some letters cut their way into a word).
'several articles' becomes 'an a the a' (four grammatical articles).
'm' inserted within 'anathea' is 'ANATHEMA'.

(Other definitions for anathema that I've seen before include "Object of abhorrence" , "Object of detestation" , "It's detested or abhorred" , "thing we detest" , "Person or thing that's abhorred" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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