Crossword Genius

Check about first of Georges to rule as monarch (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reign

'rule as monarch' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'check about first of georges' is the wordplay.
'check' becomes 'rein' (both can mean to control or limit**).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'first of' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'georges' is 'g'.
'rein' placed around 'g' is 'REIGN'.

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for reign that I've seen before include "Period during which someone is dominant" , "Period on the throne" , "Monarch's period" , "Predominance" , "Period of the rule of a sovereign" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Telegraph.
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