In some way wonder about retaining seat (2,2,4)

I believe the answer is:

as it were

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

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for as it were that I've seen before include "In sort of" , "In a manner of speaking" , "you might say" , "you may say" , "As if it was actually so" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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