Crossword Genius

Particular female in charge is after ground spice (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

specific

'particular' is the definition.
('specific' can be similar in meaning to 'particular')

'female in charge is after ground spice' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'in charge' becomes 'ic'.
'is after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ground' is an anagram indicator (grind the letters ).
'spice' is an anagram of 'speci'.
'f'+'ic'='fic'
'fic' after 'speci' is 'SPECIFIC'.

(Other definitions for specific that I've seen before include "Peculiar" , "Precise, clearly defined" , "Detailed" , "Explicit or in detail" , "Well-defined" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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