Container indicator

in

“in” is a container indicator in cryptic crosswords.

One piece of wordplay is wrapped around or inserted into another. Containers use the imagery of holding, enclosing, or swallowing.

Clue types: Container
Subtlety: subtle
Part of speech: adverb
Themes: containment

Note: X in Y = X is placed inside Y.

Worked example

“Server, one lost in drink (6)”

Answer: WAITER

Definition: "Server". "drink" gives the synonym WATER — this is the outer word. "one" gives I (the Roman numeral for one) — this is the inner letter. "lost in" tells you to drop I inside WATER: WA-I-TER = WAITER.

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