Crossword Genius

Spy master is years in disguise (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emissary

'spy' is the definition.
(emissary can mean a spy in another country)

'master is years in disguise' is the wordplay.
'master' becomes 'm'.
'in disguise' indicates anagramming the letters.
'm'+'is'+'years'='misyears'
'misyears' with letters rearranged gives 'EMISSARY'.

(Other definitions for emissary that I've seen before include "Government messenger" , "Diplomatic agent" , "Someone sent on a mission" , "Messenger, envoy" , "one dispatched officially" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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