Crossword Genius

Buff soul touring outskirts of village (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maven

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'buff' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'soul touring outskirts of village' is the wordplay.
'soul' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of soul**).
'touring' indicates putting letters inside (touring can mean going round).
'outskirts of' means to remove the middle letters.
'village' with its centre taken out is 've'.
'man' enclosing 've' is 'MAVEN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maven that I've seen before include "US authority" , "Expert, connoisseur (US)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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