Crossword Genius

Stand for hire, top to bottom (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

easel

'stand' is the definition.
(easel is a kind of stand)

'hire top to bottom' is the wordplay.
'hire' becomes 'lease' (synonyms).
'top' means to remove the first letter.
'to bottom' becomes 'l' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'lease' with its initial letter taken off is 'ease'.
'ease'+'l'='EASEL'

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for easel that I've seen before include "Artist's tripod" , "Artist's wooden frame" , "artistic aid" , "art supporter" , "Painter's support" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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