Crossword Genius

Absent, a system (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

away

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'absent' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'a system' is the wordplay.
'system' becomes 'way' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'way'='AWAY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for away that I've seen before include "Having started" , "At a distance; match" , "See 1" , "Not at home, somewhere else" , "Not present, having left" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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