Crossword Genius

Since nine sides snarled in anger

Ross

I believe the answer is:

incense

'anger' is the definition.
(to incense is make angry)

'since nine sides snarled' is the wordplay.
'sides' means to remove the middle letters (only the letters on the sides are used).
'snarled' indicates an anagram (to snarl can mean to entangle or twist).
'nine' with its middle removed is 'ne'.
'since'+'ne'='sincene'
'sincene' with letters rearranged gives 'INCENSE'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for incense that I've seen before include "Substance burning in a censer" , "make you very cross" , "Enrage greatly" , "Grains burnt in church etc" , "Sweet-smelling spice" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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