Crossword Genius

Making hunger less variable (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earning

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

'making' is the definition.
('earn' can be a synonym of 'make')

'hunger less variable' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'variable' could be 'n' (n can represent any number in mathematics) and 'n' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'earing' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earning that I've seen before include "Gaining by work" , "Bringing in money" , "Realising" , "Getting" , "Receiving in return for work" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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