Crossword Genius

Loud jug, less people, maybe? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fewer

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'less people maybe?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'loud jug' is the wordplay.
'loud' becomes 'f' (short for forte - 'loud' in music).
'jug' becomes 'ewer' (type of vessel).
'f'+'ewer'='FEWER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fewer that I've seen before include "Reduced" , "Less in number" , "in smaller numbers" , "smaller number of people" , "Not so many" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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