Crossword Genius

A lord, a saint and a well-known swimmer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a lord' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'a saint and a well-known swimmer' is the wordplay.
'a saint' becomes 'st' (abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a well-known swimmer' becomes 'eel' (eels swim. I am not sure about the 'well-known' bit.).
'st'+'eel'='STEEL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steel that I've seen before include "Knife-sharpener" , "May be cold" , "Iron/carbon alloy" , "Hard, strong, grey alloy" , "Strength, determination" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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