Crossword Genius

A note on the file provides understanding (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grasp

'understanding' is the definition.
(I know that grasp is a type of understanding)

'a note on the file' is the wordplay.
'a note' becomes 'g' (musical note).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'the file' becomes 'rasp' (rasp is a kind of file).
'g'+'rasp'='GRASP'

'provides' is the link.

(Other definitions for grasp that I've seen before include "Seize firmly - or understand (5)" , "Firmly grip" , "Get hold of firmly" , "Catch on" , "Follow - understand - seize" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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