Crossword Genius

Unpaid worker lacking energy is Russian? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slav

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

'russian?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'unpaid worker lacking energy' is the wordplay.
'unpaid worker' becomes 'slave' (I've seen this before).
'lacking' suggests deleting specific letters.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mc2).
'slave' with 'e' removed is 'SLAV'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slav that I've seen before include "Eastern European" , "European perhaps" , "One of the European people" , "Native of eastern Europe, perhaps" , "Person speaking one of related languages of Euro-Asian border" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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.