Crossword Genius

Present soldier with unfurnished flat (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gift

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'present' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'soldier with unfurnished flat' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'GI' (GI can mean a US soldier).
'with unfurnished flat' becomes 'ft' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'gi'+'ft'='GIFT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gift that I've seen before include "Offering" , "Give away" , "flair" , "[BOUNTY] ?" , "Special aptitude - present" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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