Pondered laying off millions no longer in prime condition (4)
I believe the answer is:
used
'prime condition' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Employed - exploited" , "Was treating" , "Pre-loved" , "cast off" , "Second-hand, not new" .)