Crossword Genius

Rising of Eastern enemy (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

foe

'enemy' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'rising of eastern' is the wordplay.
'rising' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in a down clue, letters go up).
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'of' backwards is 'fo'.
'fo'+'e'='FOE'

(Other definitions for foe that I've seen before include "Someone opposing" , "friend never!" , "Opposition" , "Evil rival" , "Antagonist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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