Crossword Genius

Charlie has hand split (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleft

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

'charlie has hand' is the wordplay.
'charlie' becomes 'c' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'has' says to put letters next to each other.
'hand' becomes 'left' (left is a kind of hand**).
'c'+'left'='CLEFT'

(Other definitions for cleft that I've seen before include "chasm" , "Split or indentation" , "Split into two" , "Crack" , "Partially divided" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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