Crossword Genius

Settle with firm, start making contract (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

compromise

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'settle' is the definition.
(compromising is a kind of settling)

'firm start making contract' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'start' suggests taking the first letters.
'contract' becomes 'promise' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The initial letter of 'making' is 'm'.
'co'+'m'+'promise'='COMPROMISE'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for compromise that I've seen before include "Trade-off" , "Give-and-take" , "Settlement" , "accommodation" , "Agree a middle way" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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