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Sedative
not
applicable
on
piercing
in
the
middle
of
the
ear
(8)
Sedative not applicable on piercing in the middle of the ear (8)
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The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
Sedative is the definition here. Start with NA for "not applicable", add RC from the middle of the word "piercing", then finish with OTIC meaning "of the ear", and together they spell NARCOTIC.