Crossword Genius

Born and died without thing essentially required (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

needed

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

'required' is the definition.
(I know that required can be written as needed)

'born and died without thing essentially' is the wordplay.
'born' becomes 'ne' ('born' in French - used to indicate a birth name).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'died' becomes 'd' (abbreviation next to the year of someone's death).
'without' is an insertion indicator (some letters go outside or 'without' others).
'thing essentially' becomes 'eed' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'd' inserted into 'eed' is 'eded'.
'ne'+'eded'='NEEDED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for needed that I've seen before include "'Wanted, required (6)'" , "Missing" , "Required something essential" , "Essential; called for" , "Required; sounds like worked (dough)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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