Crossword Genius

Perfume from European country, captivating odd garda (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fragrance

'perfume' is the definition.
(I know that perfume can be written as fragrance)

'european country captivating odd garda' is the wordplay.
'european country' becomes 'France' (country in Europe).
'captivating' is an insertion indicator (captivate could historically mean to hold captive).
'odd' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternating letters of 'garda' are 'gra'.
'france' placed around 'gra' is 'FRAGRANCE'.

'from' is the link.

(Other definitions for fragrance that I've seen before include "Pleasant aroma as of flower" , "Bouquet" , "Pleasant smell" , "Pleasant scent" , "Perfume" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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