The figure is in strangely poor condition (7)

I believe the answer is:

proviso

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'condition' is the definition.
(I know that proviso is a type of condition)

'the figure is in strangely poor' is the wordplay.
'the figure' becomes 'v' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'strangely' indicates anagramming the letters.
'v'+'is'='vis'
'poor' anagrammed gives 'proo'.
'vis' inserted inside 'proo' is 'PROVISO'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for proviso that I've seen before include "Requirement" , "Clause in contract" , "Condition for VIP or so" , "Condition attached to an agreement" , "Something insisted upon as part of an agreement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.