Crossword Genius

Pair eating jerk roll rejected starter (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

initiator

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'starter' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for initiator that I've seen before include "originator" , "Substance starting a chain reaction" , "beginner" , "One starts" , "One starting (a process)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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