Crossword Genius

Start to vacate it, possibly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

activate

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

'vacate it possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'vacate'+'it'='vacateit'
'vacateit' anagrammed gives 'ACTIVATE'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for activate that I've seen before include "Cause to start, set in motion" , "Give life to" , "Turn on" , "Make operative" , "Stimulate to action" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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