Crossword Genius

A snowdrop? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

avalanche

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

'a snowdrop?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'a snowdrop?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for avalanche that I've seen before include "Sudden overwhelming quantity" , "Slide of large amounts of snow or stone" , "heavy snowfall" , "Mountainside fall" , "Large snow or rock fall" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, The Telegraph and The Times.
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