Crossword Genius

Joint holder being exactly the same (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spit

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'joint' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'holder being exactly the same' is the wordplay.
'holder' means to remove the middle letters (I've seen 'holder of' mean this (use the outside letters which hold the rest)).
'being exactly' becomes 'sharp' (I've seen this in another clue).
'the same' becomes 'it' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'sharp' with its centre taken out is 'sp'.
'sp'+'it'='SPIT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spit that I've seen before include "Roast turner" , "Expectorate on the tongue of land" , "Narrow point of land; saliva" , "23-ing implement" , "A spade's depth, in earth" .)

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