Crossword Genius

Not a direct form of slander (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

detraction

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

'not a direct form' is the wordplay.
'form' indicates anagramming the letters (another form of the letters).
'not'+'a'+'direct'='notadirect'
'notadirect' is an anagram of 'DETRACTION'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for detraction that I've seen before include "Disparagement" , "Slander" .)

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