Crossword Genius

Less affected by what was in cloud, trapped characters are out of danger? That's right (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drier

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'less affected by what was in cloud trapped characters are out' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'danger? that's right' is the wordplay.
'danger?' becomes 'dr' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'that's' becomes 'ie'.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'dr'+'ie'+'r'='DRIER'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for drier that I've seen before include "Appliance to remove moisture" , "Less damp" , "More arid" , "Flatter" , "It removes moisture" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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