Crossword Genius

Figure to be supported as virtuous (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clean

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'virtuous' is the definition.
('clean' can be a synonym of 'virtuous')

'figure to be' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'c' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to be' becomes 'lean' (leaning is a kind of being).
'c'+'lean'='CLEAN'

'supported as' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clean that I've seen before include "Squeakily hygienic?" , "Untainted" , "Complete" , "Spotless; launder" , "attentive to personal hygiene" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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