Crossword Genius

Cold aristocrat about to steal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

creep

'steal' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'cold aristocrat about' is the wordplay.
'cold' becomes 'C' (abbreviation, eg on taps).
'aristocrat' becomes 'peer' (peer is a kind of aristocrat).
'about' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'peer' written backwards gives 'reep'.
'c'+'reep'='CREEP'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for creep that I've seen before include "Sycophant" , "jerk?" , "Obsequious person" , "narrow passage" , "wretch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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