Crossword Genius

Intense setter following former model about (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extreme

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'intense' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'setter following former model about' is the wordplay.
'setter' becomes 'me' (the setter of the clue).
'following' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'former' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'model about' becomes 'tre' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ex'+'tre'='extre'
'me' put after 'extre' is 'EXTREME'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for extreme that I've seen before include "Going to great lengths" , "Furthest or highest degree of something" , "Very great; not usual" , "Most violent" , "Inordinate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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