Nick lived in backwardness (5)

I believe the answer is:

devil

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'backwardness' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'nick lived' is the wordplay.
'lived' anagrams to 'DEVIL'.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for devil that I've seen before include "Powerful evil spirit" , "Unsurpassed" , "Coat spicily; do hackwork" , "Imp" , "Lived with Satan" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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