Crossword Genius

Guide leewards, oddly? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lead

'guide' is the definition.
(lead can mean to usher or guide)

'leewards oddly?' is the wordplay.
'oddly?' means one should take alternating letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
The alternate letters of 'leewards' are 'LEAD'.

(Other definitions for lead that I've seen before include "Chief part, element" , "Guide the heavy metal" , "Metal; show the way" , "Guide; metallic element" , "Advantage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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