Crossword Genius

Employs punsters now and then (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uses

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

'punsters now and then' is the wordplay.
'now and then' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken on a regular basis, now and then).
The alternate letters of 'punsters' are 'USES'.

(Other definitions for uses that I've seen before include "Functions, applications" , "Puts into service" , "Operates" , "deployments" , "Employs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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