Crossword Genius

Gracious duke seen in tie (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cord

'tie' is the definition.
(cording is a kind of tiing)

'gracious duke' is the wordplay.
'gracious' becomes 'cor' (both are exclamations of surprise**).
'duke' becomes 'd'.
'cor'+'d'='CORD'

'seen in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cord that I've seen before include "Rope; fabric" , "Line of twisted fibres or threads" , "Strong string" , "Small rope or thick string" , "Small rope; flex" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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