Crossword Genius

Married spy advanced in shade (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

magenta

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

'married spy advanced' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm'.
'spy' becomes 'agent' (I've seen this before**).
'advanced' becomes 'a'.
'm'+'agent'+'a'='MAGENTA'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for magenta that I've seen before include "this might be an ink" , "Bright purplish red or magnate" , "Light purplish-red" , "Purplish-red - battle" , "Reddish purple" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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