Crossword Genius

Firm around the middle (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

core

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'the middle' is the definition.
(core can mean the centre of something)

'firm around' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (abbreviation for company).
'around' becomes 're' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'co'+'re'='CORE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for core that I've seen before include "Centre, heart" , "Central zone" , "Planet's centre" , "Nucleus" , "The innermost part" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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