Crossword Genius

Advance payment for poet first off (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ante

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'advance payment' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "early payment" , "Initial bet" , "Initial contribution to the common pot" , "A neat sort of prefix" , "Betting stake" .)

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