Crossword Genius

Require your start to be poor (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

needy

'poor' is the definition.
('needy' can be similar in meaning to 'poor')

'require your start to' is the wordplay.
'require' becomes 'need' ('need' can be a synonym of 'require').
'start to' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'your' is 'y'.
'need'+'y'='NEEDY'

'be' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for needy that I've seen before include "Necessitous" , "Poor; indigent" , "Impecunious" , "Poor; wanting affection" , "badly craving affection" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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