Crossword Genius

Stand for now, below soldiers (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

represent

'stand for' is the definition.
('represent' can be a synonym of 'stand for')

'now below soldiers' is the wordplay.
'now' becomes 'present' (I've seen this before).
'below' says to put letters next to each other.
'soldiers' becomes 're' (Royal Engineers).
'present' put after 're' is 'REPRESENT'.

(Other definitions for represent that I've seen before include "Picture" , "Portray" , "declare" , "Play the part" , "Serve as a symbol for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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