Crossword Genius

Sick individual, and cold - it's unlawful (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

illicit

'unlawful' is the definition.
('illicit' can be a synonym of 'unlawful')

'sick individual and cold it's' is the wordplay.
'sick' becomes 'ill' ('ill' can be a synonym of 'sick').
'individual' becomes 'i'.
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'cold' becomes 'c' (eg on taps).
'it's' becomes 'it' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'ill'+'i'+'c'+'it'='ILLICIT'

(Other definitions for illicit that I've seen before include "Bootleg; clandestine" , "Illegal" , "wrong" , "Not lawful" , "Felonious" .)

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