Crossword Genius

Turn fifty, oddly lacking detachment (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unit

'detachment' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'turn fifty oddly lacking' is the wordplay.
'oddly lacking' means one should take alternating letters.
'turn'+'fifty'='turnfifty'
The alternate letters of 'turnfifty' are 'UNIT'.

(Other definitions for unit that I've seen before include "Single person - group of people" , "Single item; one" , "Some fighting men" , "Constituent" , "Operational team" .)

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