Crossword Genius

Discovers missing leader and makes money (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earns

'makes money' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'discovers missing leader' is the wordplay.
'discovers' becomes 'learns' ('learn' can be a synonym of 'discover').
'missing leader' means to remove the first letter (leader meaning lead letter).
'learns' with its first letter taken off is 'EARNS'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for earns that I've seen before include "Gains by work" , "Works for pay" , "Gains by labour" , "Merits through work" , "Grosses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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