Crossword Genius

Shrewd officers nearly seizing computers etc (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

politic

'shrewd' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'officers nearly seizing computers etc' is the wordplay.
'officers' becomes 'police' (police officers).
'nearly' means to remove the last letter.
'seizing' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are seized).
'computers etc' becomes 'IT' (short for Information Technology).
'police' with its last letter taken off is 'polic'.
'polic' enclosing 'it' is 'POLITIC'.

(Other definitions for politic that I've seen before include "Sensible, judicious" , "Prudent and tactful" , "Prudent - type of body" , "Shrewdly tactful" , "Intriguing" .)

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