Crossword Genius

American name for a coil of yarn (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hank

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

'a coil of yarn' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'american name' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'american' could be 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names) and 'a' is found in the answer.
'name' could be 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms) and 'n' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hank that I've seen before include "Loop of yarn" , "Skein (of wool, etc)" , "Coil of wool for American Henry" , "Henry - coil of rope, wool or yarn" , "Loop of cord" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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