Crossword Genius

Rotter with Ecstasy and speed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rate

'speed' is the definition.
(rate is a kind of speed)

'rotter with ecstasy' is the wordplay.
'rotter' becomes 'rat' ('rat' can be a synonym of 'rotter').
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ecstasy' becomes 'e' (informal term for the drug).
'rat'+'e'='RATE'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rate that I've seen before include "standard levy" , "Assess the value of" , "Value - scold" , "See 16" , "Pace" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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