Crossword Genius

Wise man cut the middle out (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seer

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

'wise man' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'cut the middle out' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'middle' could be 'see' (see is a kind of middle) and 'see' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seer that I've seen before include "Forecaster" , "One fortelling future" , "Person who can read the future" , "Regard with respect" , "He forecasts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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