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Antifreeze essential initially in chopper (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deicer

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This clue could be a double definition.

'antifreeze' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'essential initially in chopper' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for deicer that I've seen is " It melts".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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