Crossword Genius

Raptures, say, converted late Republican strongholds (7,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

altered states

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'raptures' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'converted late republican strongholds' is the wordplay.
'converted' becomes 'altered' (I've seen this before).
'late republican strongholds' becomes 'states' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'altered'+'states'='ALTERED STATES'

'say' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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