Crossword Genius

Hotels malfunction without energy – idleness (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sloth

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

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for sloth that I've seen before include "Deadly offence" , "reluctance to work" , "Sluggish creature" , "One of the seven deadly sins" , "Idle creature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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