Crossword Genius

Titus Oates oddly missing dreadful place (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

situate

'place' is the definition.
(situate can mean to place or position)

'titus oates oddly missing dreadful' is the wordplay.
'oddly missing' means one should take alternating letters (letters in odd-numbered positions removed).
'dreadful' indicates an anagram.
The alternate letters of 'oates' are 'ae'.
'titus'+'ae'='titusae'
'titusae' with letters rearranged gives 'SITUATE'.

(Other definitions for situate that I've seen before include "Place in a particular location" , "station" , "put in context" , "Position" , "Locate" .)

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