Crossword Genius

Would he be short of a title if he lost one? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

baronet

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'short of a title if he lost one?' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

'would he' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'he' could be 'baron' and 'baron' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for baronet that I've seen before include "Lower noble" , "Lowest British hereditary title" , "Hereditary knight" , "One's entitled" , "A Breton could be a British peer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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