Crossword Genius

Self-employed fencer with ale being spilt (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

freelance

'self-employed' is the definition.
('freelance' can be a synonym of 'self-employed')

'fencer with ale being spilt' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'being spilt' indicates anagramming the letters.
'fencer' after 'ale' is 'alefencer'.
'alefencer' is an anagram of 'FREELANCE'.

(Other definitions for freelance that I've seen before include "Medieval mercenary" , "without regular work?" , "Self-employed worker for hire" , "Of journalist, one who works for several employers, self-employed" , "Not tied to employer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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