Crossword Genius

In danger, as a condemned witch may be (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atstake

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

'a condemned witch may be' is the wordplay.
'a condemned witch may' becomes 'ats' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'be' becomes 'take' (taking is a kind of being).
'ats'+'take'='ATSTAKE'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atstake that I've seen before include "In danger" , "soon to be Protestant martyr?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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