Crossword Genius

XII, say, to cut out (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

excise

'cut out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for excise that I've seen before include "Cut out; commodity tax" , "Duty; cut out" , "Internal tax" , "that wretches hatefully collect" , "Remove by cutting out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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