Crossword Genius

Entrance with fix, but it's comparatively dead (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doornail

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'it's comparatively dead' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'entrance with fix' is the wordplay.
'entrance' becomes 'door' (door is a kind of entrance).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'fix' becomes 'nail' (I've seen this before).
'door'+'nail'='DOORNAIL'

'but' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for doornail that I've seen before include "Dead as a ...-very dead indeed" , "Dead as a ........ is dead without a doubt" , "popularly believed dead" , "proverbially dead" , "Stud" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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