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An incomplete lock-up of military importance (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

col

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'military importance' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'an incomplete lock-up' is the wordplay.
'an incomplete' means to remove the last letter.
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'lock' with its final letter taken off is 'loc'.
'loc' reversed gives 'COL'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for col that I've seen before include "Low point of saddle between two peaks" , "A depression in mountain range" , "Mustard" , "route through mountains" , "Somewhere up on the mountain" .)

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