Crossword Genius

Type of all-male party: people in an unwholesome state (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stagnation

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

'an unwholesome state' is the definition.
'stagnation' can be an answer for 'state' (stagnation is a kind of state). I'm not sure about the 'an unwholesome' bit.

'type of all-male party people' is the wordplay.
'type of all male party' becomes 'stag' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'people' becomes 'nation'.
'stag'+'nation'='STAGNATION'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stagnation that I've seen before include "Lack of activity" , "sluggish" , "State of little activity" , "Lack of movement or growth" , "State of lethargy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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