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Ape going across an area at top of jungle? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canopy

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'jungle?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'ape going across an area at top of' is the wordplay.
'ape' becomes 'copy' (synonyms).
'going across' indicates putting letters inside.
'an area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'at' becomes 'on' (location).
'top of' means to remove the first letter (I've seen 'top' mean this).
'on' with its first letter taken off is 'n'.
'a'+'n'='an'
'copy' going around 'an' is 'CANOPY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canopy that I've seen before include "Cover above four-poster" , "in the topmost branches" , "Hanging cover forming shelter over bed or throne" , "Pay Con badly for the covering" , "Upper layer of a forest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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