Crossword Genius

Finishes without century and is defeated (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loses

'is defeated' is the definition.
(to lose is to be defeated)

'finishes without century' is the wordplay.
'finishes' becomes 'closes' (close can mean to finish or end).
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'century' becomes 'C' (common abbreviation).
'closes' with 'c' removed is 'LOSES'.

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for loses that I've seen before include "Fails to win" , "Misoplaces" , "Is unable to find" , "Misplaces" , "Mislays or is defeated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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