Crossword Genius

Solid Tory base (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cone

'solid' is the definition.
(3d shape)

'tory base' is the wordplay.
'tory' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative).
'base' becomes 'e' (Euler's number - base of natural logarithms).
'con'+'e'='CONE'

(Other definitions for cone that I've seen before include "Roadworks marker" , "Tapering solid" , "Tapering object" , "may obstruct lane" , "Solid figure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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