Crossword Genius

Close to some characters in Byzantine aristocracy (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

near

'close to' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'some characters in byzantine aristocracy' is the wordplay.
'some characters in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NEAR' can be found hidden inside 'byzantine aristocracy'.

(Other definitions for near that I've seen before include "Close - tight" , "Adjacent" , "Close at hand" , "Mean, close" , "Miserly; approach" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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