Crossword Genius

Sword-shaped object's opening Finer's rent money (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ensiform

'sword-shaped' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'object's opening finer's rent money' is the wordplay.
'opening' says to take the initial letters.
'rent' indicates an anagram (rent can mean torn or damaged).
'money' becomes 'm' (abbreviation used in economics).
The initial letter of 'object' is 'o'.
'o'+'finers'='ofiners'
'ofiners' with letters rearranged gives 'ensifor'.
'ensifor'+'m'='ENSIFORM'

(Other definitions for ensiform that I've seen before include "pointed and sharp" , "Blade shaped" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app