Crossword Genius

Quiet call to notice a piece of skirt (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahem

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'quiet call to notice' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a piece of skirt' is the wordplay.
'piece of skirt' becomes 'hem' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'hem'='AHEM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ahem that I've seen before include "It's said to gain attention; ah, me (anag.)" , "I say!" , "Noise used to attract attention" , "Polite noise to draw attention" , "It attracts attention" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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