Crossword Genius

Hand in hand start (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

first

'start' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'hand in hand' is the wordplay.
'hand' becomes 'R' (abbreviation for right, as in the right-hand side).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'hand' becomes 'fist' (hand curled into a fist).
'r' placed into 'fist' is 'FIRST'.

(Other definitions for first that I've seen before include "Initial" , "at the outset" , "Rifts (anag)" , "Highest degree" , "Rifts of supreme sort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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