Crossword Genius

In America, the unmarried state (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

miss

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'state' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for miss that I've seen before include "Fail to attend (event)" , "Single girl" , "Fail to meet - girl" , "Omit" , "Pine for - young lady" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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