Crossword Genius

Unsure how to combat the shivers (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vague

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'unsure' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'to combat the shivers' is the wordplay.
'to combat' becomes 'v' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the shivers' becomes 'ague' (I've seen this before).
'v'+'ague'='VAGUE'

'how' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vague that I've seen before include "Amorphous" , "Indistinct or not clearly expressed" , "Imprecise (in thought)" , "not focused" , "Indefinite" .)

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