Crossword Genius

Many cheer, scattering chief foe (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

archenemy

'chief foe' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'many cheer scattering' is the wordplay.
'scattering' is an anagram indicator.
'many'+'cheer'='manycheer'
'manycheer' anagrammed gives 'ARCHENEMY'.

(Other definitions for archenemy that I've seen before include "Cheery man can be greatest foe" , "most dangerous opponent" , "Cheery man may be chief opponent" , "As Holmes regarded Moriarty" , "Chief foe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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