Crossword Genius

Info that is providing spirit (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

genie

'spirit' is the definition.
(genie is a kind of spirit)

'info that is' is the wordplay.
'info' becomes 'gen' (gen is a kind of info**).
'that is' becomes 'ie' ('i.e.' can be a synonym of 'that is').
'gen'+'ie'='GENIE'

'providing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for genie that I've seen before include "Arabian jinn or spirit" , "Magical being who carries out a person's wishes" , "means of wishfulfilment" , "Arabian spirit as in Aladdin's lamp" , "Magical servant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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