17 across
Slander,
heartlessly
audacious
in
itself
(7)
Slander, heartlessly audacious in itself (7)
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The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
Slander is the definition. Take AS from the outer letters of "audacious" (heartlessly removes its middle), then add PER SE meaning "in itself", giving ASPERSE.