Crossword Genius

Original state maintained by Jagger? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maverick

'original' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'state maintained by jagger?' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'aver' (both can mean to declare).
'maintained by' means one lot of letters goes inside another (maintain can mean to keep hold of).
'jagger?' becomes 'mick' (I've seen this in another clue).
'aver' placed inside 'mick' is 'MAVERICK'.

(Other definitions for maverick that I've seen before include "Non-conformer" , "Nonconformist bloke" , "Unorthodox type" , "One who ignores the party line" , "Person showing great independence of thought or action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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