Crossword Genius

Even Ibsen left church to burp (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

belch

'burp' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'even ibsen left church' is the wordplay.
'even' means one should take alternating letters (even-numbered letters are used).
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
The alternate letters of 'ibsen' are 'be'.
'be'+'l'+'ch'='BELCH'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for belch that I've seen before include "Eructation" , "Eructate" , "Burp" , "Violently eject" , "Unrefined report" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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