Embodies the spirits of agents surrounding Ernest Cook (10)

I believe the answer is:

represents

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'embodies the spirits' is the definition.
'represents' can be an answer for 'embodies' (representing is a kind of embodying). I am not sure about the 'the spirits' bit.

'agents surrounding ernest cook' is the wordplay.
'agents' becomes 'reps' (I've seen this before).
'surrounding' indicates putting letters inside.
'cook' is an anagram indicator.
'ernest' with letters rearranged gives 'resent'.
'reps' enclosing 'resent' is 'REPRESENTS'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for represents that I've seen before include "Stands for" , "Portrays" , "shows" , "plays" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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