Crossword Genius

A cloister is more confined without it (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

closer

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'a cloister is more' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'confined without it' is the wordplay.
'confined' becomes 'close' (similar in meaning).
'without it' becomes 'r' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'close'+'r'='CLOSER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for closer that I've seen before include "Not so far off" , "One winds up" , "within a shorter distance" , "Nearer in time or space" , "more precise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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