My word once accepted by renegade (4)

I believe the answer is:

egad

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'my word once' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'accepted by renegade' is the wordplay.
'EGAD' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am not sure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for egad that I've seen before include "My word once" , "Mild oath - aged (anag)" , "Old exclamation; aged (anagram)" , "Oath sworn" , "traditional oath" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph, The Times and The Sun.

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