Crossword Genius

A political line? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

axis

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

'line?' is the definition.
(axis is a kind of line)

'a political' is the wordplay.
'political' becomes 'xis' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'xis'='AXIS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for axis that I've seen before include "x or y line on a graph" , "On which a body spins" , "Imaginary centre of rotation" , "where wheel turns?" , "coalition" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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