Crossword Genius

Socially acceptable and wise custom (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usage

'custom' is the definition.
('usage' can be a synonym of 'custom')

'socially acceptable and wise' is the wordplay.
'socially acceptable' becomes 'u'.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'wise' becomes 'sage' ('sage' can be similar in meaning to 'wise').
'u'+'sage'='USAGE'

(Other definitions for usage that I've seen before include "phraseology" , "Custom; practice" , "Convention" , "Way of treating" , "Usual practice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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