Crossword Genius

American's mate runs out of brandy (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mac

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'american's mate' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'runs out of brandy' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'out of' is a deletion indicator ('out of' can mean no longer having).
'brandy' becomes 'marc' (marc is a kind of brandy).
'marc' with 'r' taken away is 'MAC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mac that I've seen before include "laptop?" , "A Gaelic son, often in name" , "It may help you keep dry" , "PC" , "Raincoat (colloq.)" .)

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