Crossword Genius

Solitary advance amount of cash reported (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lonesome

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'solitary' is the definition.
(I know that solitary can be written as lonesome)

'advance amount of cash reported' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'amount' could be 'one' (one is a kind of amount) and 'one' is found within the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
'cash' could be 'l' (The pound sterling symbol is an elaborate L) and 'l' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lonesome that I've seen before include "Are you -- tonight (Elvis)" , "Sad and lonely" , "Solitary (mainly US)" , "Solitary and sad" , "Abandoned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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