Crossword Genius

Continental gent to engage troops (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

signor

'continental gent' is the definition.
(Italian equivalent of 'mister')

'engage troops' is the wordplay.
'engage' becomes 'sign' (signing is a kind of engaging).
'troops' becomes 'or' (military abbreviation for other ranks).
'sign'+'or'='SIGNOR'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for signor that I've seen before include "Italian gentleman" , "Italian mister" , "Title of Italian man" , "Title of Italian-speaking man" , "Guy in Rome" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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