Crossword Genius

Second-hand German missile decayed (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vicarious

'second-hand' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'german missile decayed' is the wordplay.
'german missile' becomes 'vi' (V-1, German missile in the Second World War).
'decayed' becomes 'carious' (synonyms).
'vi'+'carious'='VICARIOUS'

(Other definitions for vicarious that I've seen before include "Experienced at secondhand" , "Acting for another" , "Indirect" , "second hand" , "Acting for others" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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