Crossword Genius

A noble estate (7)

Ross

I think it could be either:

earldom

dukedom
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'a noble estate' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'noble estate' is the wordplay.
'noble' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of noble).
'estate' becomes 'dom' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'earl'+'dom'='EARLDOM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earldom that I've seen before include "Noble rank" , "Lands of a nobleman" , "noble title?" , "Peer's domain" , "Noble's status" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail, The Irish Independent and The Telegraph.
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