Crossword Genius

Naval officer gives an order with hesitation (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

commander

'naval officer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'an order with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'an order' becomes 'command' (I've seen this before).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'command'+'er'='COMMANDER'

'gives' is the link.

(Other definitions for commander that I've seen before include "The one who gives the orders" , "Chief" , "Naval rank" , "Officer in charge of a military unit" , "boss" .)

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