Crossword Genius

Level prior to tense incident (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

event

'incident' is the definition.
(an incident is an event or happening)

'level prior to tense' is the wordplay.
'level' becomes 'even' (similar in meaning).
'prior to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'tense' becomes 't' (abbreviation used in many dictionaries).
'even'+'t'='EVENT'

(Other definitions for event that I've seen before include "Something going on" , "match" , "game, perhaps" , "Something that happens - part of a programme?" , "special occasion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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