Guardian compilers and our boss getting exploited (4)
I believe the answer is:
used
'exploited' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'guardian compilers and our boss' is the wordplay.
'guardian compilers' becomes 'us' (the compiler and their colleagues. I am not sure about the 'guardian' bit.).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'our boss' becomes 'ed' (editor, the crossword setter's boss).
'us'+'ed'='USED'
'getting' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Dog-eared" , "Pre-loved" , "Employed - exploited" , "Second hand" , "No longer pristine" .)