Crossword Genius

Island oddly curved then (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crete

'island' is the definition.
(Greek island)

'oddly curved then' is the wordplay.
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
'curved'+'then'='curvedthen'
The alternating letters of 'curvedthen' are 'CRETE'.

(Other definitions for crete that I've seen before include "Large island south of Greece, once home to the Minoans" , "Greek island, capital Heraklion" , "Island whose largest city is Heraklion" , "Mediterranean island with Minoan remains" , "Largest Greek island" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app