Crossword Genius

Pick out deity if name initially bandied about (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

identify

'pick out' is the definition.
(I know that pick out can be written as identify)

'deity if name initially bandied about' is the wordplay.
'name' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms).
'initially' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bandied about' is an anagram indicator.
'if'+'n'='ifn'
'deity' after 'ifn' is 'ifndeity'.
'ifndeity' with letters rearranged gives 'IDENTIFY'.

(Other definitions for identify that I've seen before include "Pick out" , "Establish who one is" , "associate" , "Recognise as specific person or thing" , "Detect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.