Crossword Genius

Employ an American egghead (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

use

'employ' is the definition.
('use' can be a synonym of 'employ')

'an american egghead' is the wordplay.
'an american' becomes 'us'.
'egghead' becomes 'e' (head letter of 'egg').
'us'+'e'='USE'

(Other definitions for use that I've seen before include "Apply, employ" , "Habitually employ" , "Profit" , "Take drugs regularly" , "Custom - service" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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