Crossword Genius

It's mean to the players (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mezzo

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'it's mean' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for mezzo that I've seen before include "Singing voice between contralto and soprano" , "A citrus cross" , "Female singing voice" , "Female singer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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