Crossword Genius

Hours before present (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

here

'present' is the definition.
(both can mean in attendance)

'hours before' is the wordplay.
'hours' becomes 'h'.
'before' becomes 'ere' (poetic term for 'before').
'h'+'ere'='HERE'

(Other definitions for here that I've seen before include "final clue?" , ""___ be dragons" (old map inscription?)" , "On this spot" , "To hand" , "At this stage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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