Crossword Genius

Chairs or soft settles (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

presides

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

'chairs' is the definition.
('preside' can be a synonym of 'chair')

'soft settles' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'soft' could be 'p' (musical abbreviation for 'piano') and 'p' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'resides' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for presides that I've seen before include "is placed in chair" , "Manages meeting" , "Is in authority (over a meeting)" .)

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