Crossword Genius

Guided around snake, ran (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laddered

'ran' is the definition.
('ladder' can be a synonym of 'run')

'guided around snake' is the wordplay.
'guided' becomes 'led' ('lead' can be a synonym of 'guide').
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'snake' becomes 'adder' (adder is a kind of snake).
'led' going around 'adder' is 'LADDERED'.

(Other definitions for laddered that I've seen before include "ran" , "Unravelled, stocking for instance" , "Descriptive of a stocking with a run" , "(Of tights or stockings) having a run" , "Guided around snake" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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