Crossword Genius

Proprietor with ace houses? Right (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

owner

'proprietor' is the definition.
('owner' can be a synonym of 'proprietor')

'with ace houses? right' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation**).
'ace' becomes 'one' ('one' can be a synonym of 'ace').
'houses?' is an insertion indicator.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'w' put into 'one' is 'owne'.
'owne'+'r'='OWNER'

(Other definitions for owner that I've seen before include "possessive type" , "One who possesses" , "Title holder?" , "landlord" , "Holder, possessor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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