Crossword Genius

Something hard about a role for French emperor (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bonaparte

'french emperor' is the definition.
(Napoleon Bonaparte)

'something hard about a role' is the wordplay.
'something hard' becomes 'bone'.
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'role' becomes 'part' (eg a part or role in a film).
'a'+'part'='apart'
'bone' placed around 'apart' is 'BONAPARTE'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for bonaparte that I've seen before include "Napoleon's family name" , "Napoleon family" , "Extremely delicate and light" , "Old leader" , "Exiled emperor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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