Crossword Genius

One core component involved in urgent operating under state control (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dirigiste

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

'operating under state control' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'one core component involved in urgent' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'core component' becomes 'gist' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'involved in' indicates putting letters inside.
'urgent' becomes 'dire' (I've seen this in other clues).
'i'+'gist'='igist'
'igist' inserted inside 'dire' is 'DIRIGISTE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dirigiste that I've seen before include "State-controlled" , "being controlled by state" , "Preferring state control of economic and social matters" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app