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Alternative to a 'sorry' which penitent might say? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rosary

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'penitent might say?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'alternative to a sorry' is the wordplay.
'alternative to' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'sorry'='asorry'
'asorry' with letters rearranged gives 'ROSARY'.

'which' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rosary that I've seen before include "RC beads" , "String of beads for counting prayers" , "Catholic prayer beads" , "Series of prayers" , "String of devotional beads" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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