Crossword Genius

Directorate at last behind Oriental (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eastern

'oriental' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'directorate at last behind' is the wordplay.
'at last' suggests the final letters.
'behind' becomes 'astern' (at the back or behind of a ship).
The last letter of 'directorate' is 'e'.
'e'+'astern'='EASTERN'

(Other definitions for eastern that I've seen before include "Indian perhaps" , "in Beijing, possibly" , "See 11" , "Nearest (anag) - oriental" , "from afar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Independent.
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