Crossword Genius

Malign university college entering deal (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

traduce

'malign' is the definition.
(I know that malign can be written as traduce)

'university college entering deal' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'U' (abbreviation for university).
'college' becomes 'c'.
'entering' indicates putting letters inside.
'deal' becomes 'trade' (synonyms).
'u'+'c'='uc'
'uc' placed into 'trade' is 'TRADUCE'.

(Other definitions for traduce that I've seen before include "Malign -- rude act (anag)" , "Defame, slander" , "'Malign, badmouth (7)'" , "Speak badly of" , "Asperse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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