Crossword Genius

Europeans punched by awfully grim politically motivated Leaver (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emigre

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'politically motivated leaver' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'europeans punched by awfully grim' is the wordplay.
'europeans' becomes 'ee' (an abbreviation for European written twice).
'punched by' indicates putting letters inside.
'awfully' indicates anagramming the letters.
'grim' anagrammed gives 'migr'.
'ee' placed around 'migr' is 'EMIGRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for emigre that I've seen before include "one who's left" , "One who's fled abroad" , "outcast?" , "Person moving abroad" , "Someone leaving the country for good" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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