Crossword Genius

An old army measure (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cubit

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'an old army measure?' is the definition.
'cubit' can be an answer for 'measure?' (cubit is a kind of measure). I am not sure about the 'an old army' bit.

'old army measure?' is the wordplay.
'old army' becomes 'cu' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'measure?' becomes 'bit' (bit is a kind of measure).
'cu'+'bit'='CUBIT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cubit that I've seen before include "Ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm" , "Biblical length of approximately a forearm" , "distance" , "two such might have been in the yard" , "Biblical measure of length" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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