Crossword Genius

Greeting socialist who was taken on (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hired

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'was taken on' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'greeting socialist' is the wordplay.
'greeting' becomes 'hi' (hi is a kind of greeting).
'socialist' becomes 'red' (red is a kind of socialist).
'hi'+'red'='HIRED'

'who' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hired that I've seen before include "Taken into service" , "Paid to work" , "Engaged for wages" , "Rented out" , "Employed or engaged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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