Crossword Genius

Drain odd parts of swamp (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sap

'drain' is the definition.
(sap can mean to suck or drain)

'odd parts of swamp' is the wordplay.
'odd parts of' indicates alternate letters (letters in odd-numbered positions).
The alternating letters of 'swamp' are 'SAP'.

(Other definitions for sap that I've seen before include "Vital plant juice" , "Weak foolish person" , "Cosh; plant's juice" , "Watery substance in a plant" , "Enervate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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