Crossword Genius

Just a little short of quality (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fair

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'just' is the definition.
(just can mean fair in the sense of showing justice)

'a little short of quality' is the wordplay.
'a little short of' becomes 'f' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'quality' becomes 'air' (air is a kind of quality).
'f'+'air'='FAIR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fair that I've seen before include "Impartial, so-so" , "(Of weather) fine and dry" , "Traders' gathering" , "likely" , "Attractive type of weather?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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