Crossword Genius

A German substitute (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ersatz

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'substitute' is the definition.
('ersatz' can be a synonym of 'substitute')

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for ersatz that I've seen before include "'Artificial, not genuine (6)'" , "Imitation or substitute, from German" , "Artificial, imitation - from German" , "Cheap substitute or imitation" , "Mock" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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