Crossword Genius

Deeply, oddly enlightened state (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delaware

'state' is the definition.
(I know that Delaware is a state)

'deeply oddly enlightened' is the wordplay.
'oddly' indicates alternate letters (letters in odd-numbered positions).
'enlightened' becomes 'aware' (I've seen this in another clue).
The alternating letters of 'deeply' are 'del'.
'del'+'aware'='DELAWARE'

(Other definitions for delaware that I've seen before include "American state, capital Dover" , "State of northeast US" , "state of the east" , "Second smallest US state" , "State of eastern US" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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