Crossword Genius

Bind helium in nucleus (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cohere

'bind' is the definition.

'helium in nucleus' is the wordplay.
'helium' becomes 'he' ('He' can be a synonym of 'helium').
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'nucleus' becomes 'core' ('core' can be a synonym of 'nucleus').
'he' placed within 'core' is 'COHERE'.

(Other definitions for cohere that I've seen before include "Fuse together" , "Form a whole" , "Stick together, remain united" , "Stick or hold together and resist separation" , "Stick firmly together" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app