Crossword Genius

Character giving command to speed up (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gee

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'speed up' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'character giving command' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'g'.
'giving command' becomes 'ee' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'g'+'ee'='GEE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gee that I've seen before include "Mild expression of surprise, may go before whiz" , "Urge horse - expression of surprise" , "Wow!" , "Exclamation of surprise" , "Expression of mild surprise (mainly US)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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