Crossword Genius

Tango separately, date having claws (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taloned

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'having claws' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'tango separately date' is the wordplay.
'tango' becomes 'T' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'separately' becomes 'alone' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'date' becomes 'd' (abbreviation e.g. dob - date of birth).
't'+'alone'+'d'='TALONED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for taloned that I've seen before include "with pincers" , "with nippers?" , "Nailed" , "With hooked claw" , "Clawed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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