Crossword Genius

Fool eating next to very deep hole (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abyss

'very deep hole' is the definition.

'fool eating next to' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'ass' (ass is a kind of fool).
'eating' is an insertion indicator.
'next to' becomes 'by'.
'ass' placed around 'by' is 'ABYSS'.

(Other definitions for abyss that I've seen before include "Bottomless pit" , "great depth" , "Hell; hole" , "Deep gulf" , "gaping hole" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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