Crossword Genius

Derision will dishearten a jester (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jeer

'derision' is the definition.
(I know that jeer is a type of derision)

'dishearten a jester' is the wordplay.
'dishearten' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'jester' with its centre removed is 'JEER'.

'will' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for jeer that I've seen before include "Mock publicly" , "Rude, mocking remark" , "Laugh at with derision" , "Call out derisively" , "Mock rudely" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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