Crossword Genius

Left to dry out in the den (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lair

'the den' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'left to dry out' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'to dry out' becomes 'air' (airing is a kind of drying out).
'l'+'air'='LAIR'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for lair that I've seen before include "animal refuge" , "Habitat of a wild animal" , "Wild animal's place of refuge" , "enclosure" , "Hiding place, den" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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