Provide a fine cross (6)
I believe the answer is:
afford
'provide' is the definition.
(affording is a kind of providing)
'a fine cross' is the wordplay.
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'cross' becomes 'ford' (to ford a river is to cross it).
'a'+'f'+'ford'='AFFORD'
(Other definitions for afford that I've seen before include "Able to bear the expense" , "Be able to buy" , "Run to" , "Provide (an opportunity)" , "Provide; be able to pay for" .)