Crossword Genius

Reporter's egotistical passage that's essential for circulation (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vein

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'passage that's essential for circulation' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'reporter's egotistical' is the wordplay.
'reporter's' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue (report can mean to speak something aloud).
'egotistical' becomes 'vain' (synonyms).
'vain' is a homophone of 'VEIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vein that I've seen before include "Distinctive quality" , "Part of the blood circulation system" , "Blood-vessel" , "Leaf rib; ore layer in rock" , "Tube that carries blood to the heart" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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