Crossword Genius

Crowd surrounding one in lift (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hoist

'lift' is the definition.
('hoist' can be a synonym of 'lift')

'crowd surrounding one' is the wordplay.
'crowd' becomes 'host' (I've seen this before).
'surrounding' is an insertion indicator.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral**).
'host' enclosing 'i' is 'HOIST'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for hoist that I've seen before include "piece of lifting gear" , "Winch" , "Device for lifting, often attached to 5 down" , "Heave upwards" , "Lift (mechanically)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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