Crossword Genius

Reserve position in matter (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

substance

'matter' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'reserve position' is the wordplay.
'reserve' becomes 'sub' (I've seen this in other clues).
'position' becomes 'stance' (stance is a kind of position).
'sub'+'stance'='SUBSTANCE'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for substance that I've seen before include "Physical material" , "Subject matter" , "Physical matter" , "power" , "Property" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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