Crossword Genius

A number set about forming principles (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tenets

'principles' is the definition.
(a tenet is a principle or belief)

'a number set about' is the wordplay.
'a number' becomes 'ten' (ten is a number).
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'set' is an anagram of 'ets'.
'ten'+'ets'='TENETS'

'forming' is the link.

(Other definitions for tenets that I've seen before include "Doctrines held to be true" , "Convictions" , "Principles of belief" , "Doctrines of belief" , "We stand by these" .)

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