Crossword Genius

Sam left struggling for aid (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alms

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'aid' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'sam left struggling' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'struggling' indicates anagramming the letters.
'sam'+'l'='saml'
'saml' with letters rearranged gives 'ALMS'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alms that I've seen before include "Charitable donations to poor" , "handed over as charity" , "Charitable relief" , "Charity for poor" , "Charitable aid to poor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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