Crossword Genius

Seclusion is, to a lion, wretched (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

isolation

'seclusion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'is to a lion wretched' is the wordplay.
'wretched' is an anagram indicator.
'to'+'a'+'lion'='toalion'
'toalion' anagrammed gives 'olation'.
'is'+'olation'='ISOLATION'

(Other definitions for isolation that I've seen before include "Staff in such a hospital working with" , "State of separation, closing off" , "Cutting off" , "Quarantine; solitude" , "Remote and lonely state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app