Money: enticement to set about crossword at the outset (5)
I believe the answer is:
lucre
'money' is the definition.
(lucre is a kind of money)
'enticement to set about crossword at the outset' is the wordplay.
'enticement' becomes 'lure' (lure is a kind of enticement).
'to set about' indicates putting letters inside.
'at the outset' says to take the initial letters (the outset is the beginning).
The first letter of 'crossword' is 'c'.
'lure' going around 'c' is 'LUCRE'.
(Other definitions for lucre that I've seen before include "Scornful word for money that may be 1 Across" , "Money (especially when gained dishonourably)" , "Sordid gain; riches" , "Possession of the rich" , "monetary gain" .)