Crossword Genius

Give assistance to gentleman reportedly failing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

service

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'give assistance' is the definition.
'service' can be an answer for 'assistance' (service is a kind of assistance). I'm unsure of the 'give' bit.

'gentleman reportedly failing' is the wordplay.
'gentleman' becomes 'sir' (a man may be addressed as sir).
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'failing' becomes 'vice' (vice can mean a moral failing).
'sir' is a homophone of 'ser'.
'ser'+'vice'='SERVICE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for service that I've seen before include "See 4" , "Act of worship" , "Armed force - assistance" , "funeral, say" , "See 11" .)

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