Crossword Genius

Devised a role so as to be made special (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

set apart

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'as to be made special' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'devised a role' is the wordplay.
'devised' becomes 'seta' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a role' becomes 'part' (eg a part or role in a film).
'seta'+'part'='SET APART'

'so' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for set apart that I've seen before include "Isolated" , "Keep separate (for a special purpose)" , "Isolate" , "specially allocated" , "Keep (something) for special use" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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