In a seedy case, were given authority (7)
I believe the answer is:
powered
'given authority' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to consumption as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'in a seedy case were' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'a seedy case' becomes 'pod' (pod is a kind of case. I am not sure about the 'seedy' bit.).
'pod' placed around 'were' is 'POWERED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for powered that I've seen before include "Forcible" , "Wee drop (anag.)" , "Like anything with an engine" , "fed juice" , "Fuelled" .)