Crossword Genius

They may hold one in affection (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arms

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

'affection' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'they may hold one' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rms' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arms that I've seen before include "See 12" , "Limbs of war" , "International competition for weapons" , ". . . . and The Man (G.B. Shaw)" , "bombs and guns etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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