Crossword Genius

Former times past (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bygone

'former' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'times past' is the wordplay.
'times' becomes 'by' (both can mean 'multiplied by').
'past' becomes 'gone' (similar in meaning).
'by'+'gone'='BYGONE'

(Other definitions for bygone that I've seen before include "Belonging to the past" , "Erstwhile" , "Of departed days" , "Former - well in the past" , "Gone by (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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