Crossword Genius

Fool first to give help (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assist

'give help' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fool first' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'ass' (both can mean a stupid person).
'first' becomes 'ist' (ist resembles ast).
'ass'+'ist'='ASSIST'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for assist that I've seen before include "Understand by instinct" , "Help member" , "benefit" , "Work as a subordinate" , "Be useful to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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