Crossword Genius

New number underground (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nether

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

'new number' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n'.
'number' becomes 'ether' (I've seen this before**).
'n'+'ether'='NETHER'

(Other definitions for nether that I've seen before include "These garments are for the bottom half" , "Underground" , "These regions are beneath" , "inferior" , "Located below" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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