Crossword Genius

Nick, Paul etc wasted energy (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peculate

'nick' is the definition.
(I know that peculate is a more specific form of the action nick)

'paul etc wasted energy' is the wordplay.
'wasted' indicates an anagram.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mc2).
'paul'+'etc'='pauletc'
'pauletc' with letters rearranged gives 'peculat'.
'peculat'+'e'='PECULATE'

(Other definitions for peculate that I've seen before include "Steal money entrusted to one's care, embezzle" , "Appropriate" , "Embezzle money having pale, cute appearance" , "Embezzle money with cute plea" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app