Crossword Genius

Former head not the front-runner (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

once

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'former' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for once that I've seen before include "At some time past" , "One-time musical film and song" , "In times past" , "Some time back" , "One-time - one time" .)

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