Crossword Genius

In front of a principal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead

'in front of' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a principal' is the wordplay.
'principal' becomes 'head' (synonyms).
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "In the lead, in advance" , "Forward - in front" , "In the future" , "advanced" , "In the leading position" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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