Crossword Genius

Sex during tap dancing used contorting abilities (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aptitudes

'abilities' is the definition.
(aptitude is a kind of ability)

'sex during tap dancing used contorting' is the wordplay.
'sex' becomes 'it' (a common euphemism).
'during' indicates putting letters inside.
'dancing' is an anagram indicator.
'contorting' indicates an anagram.
'tap' anagrammed gives 'apt'.
'used' anagrammed gives 'udes'.
'apt'+'udes'='aptudes'
'it' going inside 'aptudes' is 'APTITUDES'.

(Other definitions for aptitudes that I've seen before include "gifts" , "natural abilities" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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