Crossword Genius

Spare shillings taken by pawnbroker (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slender

'spare' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'shillings taken by pawnbroker' is the wordplay.
'shillings' becomes 's' (abbreviation e.g. Lsd - pounds, shillings, pence).
'taken by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'pawnbroker' becomes 'lender' (I've seen this in another clue).
's'+'lender'='SLENDER'

(Other definitions for slender that I've seen before include "Meagre" , "Slight in form" , "with a narrow outlook" , "Barely sufficient; thin" , "Spare" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app