Crossword Genius

Took in bits of a course writer ran (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nibbled

'took in bits of a course' is the definition.

'writer ran' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'nib' (something which writes).
'ran' becomes 'bled' ('bleed' can be a synonym of 'run').
'nib'+'bled'='NIBBLED'

(Other definitions for nibbled that I've seen before include "Took small bites (of something)" , "Gnawed" , "Took small bites; ate intermittently" , "Ate sparingly" , "Bit off very small pieces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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