Some indeed left for dead (8)
I believe the answer is:
departed
'dead' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'some indeed left' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the central letters.
'left' becomes 'parted' (parting is a kind of leaving).
The middle letters of 'indeed' are 'de'.
'de'+'parted'='DEPARTED'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for departed that I've seen before include "Went - dead" , "completely breathless" , "Left -- late" , "Quit" , "Gone, maybe dead" .)