Crossword Genius

Croatia's foremost port is Split (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleft

'is split' is the definition.
('cleft' can be a synonym of 'split')

'croatia's foremost port' is the wordplay.
'foremost' suggests taking the first letters.
'port' becomes 'left' ('left' can be a synonym of 'port').
The initial letter of 'croatia' is 'c'.
'c'+'left'='CLEFT'

(Other definitions for cleft that I've seen before include "Split; fissure" , "Opening, fissure" , "Crack" , "chasm" , "Narrow opening" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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