Crossword Genius

Function of wickedness? Evil primarily! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sine

'function' is the definition.
(mathematical function)

'wickedness? evil primarily' is the wordplay.
'wickedness?' becomes 'sin' ('sin' can be a synonym of 'wickedness').
'primarily' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'evil' is 'e'.
'sin'+'e'='SINE'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for sine that I've seen before include "Indefinitely, with no appointed date - . . . . die" , "Indispensable condition" , "Latin tag for indefinitely - . . . . die" , "Mathematical function" , "Trigonometrical function" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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