What does the cryptic crossword clue "Country held hostage by learned cheat (8)" mean?

The definition is "cheat". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). OMAN (synonym="‘country’") in WISE (synonym="‘learned’") = WOMANISE; definition: "cheat" The answer is WOMANISE.

Country held hostage by learned cheat (8)

Guardian Cryptic #28996 | 23 Across | 2023-02-17 flower

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