Has grown strangely partial (4)

I believe the answer is:

owns

'has' is the definition.
('own' can be a synonym of 'have')

'grown strangely partial' is the wordplay.
'partial' indicates a hidden word.
'OWNS' is hidden within 'grown strangely'.

(Other definitions for owns that I've seen before include "Confesses" , "Possesses" , "Belongs to" , "uses" , "Admits possession" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent and The Telegraph.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app