Crossword Genius

Learned English -- unrefined without it (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

erudite

'learned' is the definition.
('erudite' can be a synonym of 'learned')

'english unrefined without it' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'unrefined' becomes 'rude' ('rude' can be similar in meaning to 'unrefined').
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'rude' placed around 'it' is 'rudite'.
'e'+'rudite'='ERUDITE'

(Other definitions for erudite that I've seen before include "Showing profound knowledge" , "Learned, well educated" , "Having deep knowledge" , "Well educated, having great learning" , "Highly learned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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