Crossword Genius

German city engineer's inner nature (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

essence

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

'german city engineer's' is the wordplay.
'german city' becomes 'essen' (city in Germany).
'engineer' becomes 'ce'.
'essen'+'ce'='ESSENCE'

(Other definitions for essence that I've seen before include "quality of perfume?" , "Core, most vital part" , "The heart of" , "Basic quality" , "Perfume or concentrated extract" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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