Crossword Genius

Area is ploughed around university, a vast expanse (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eurasia

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

'area is ploughed around university' is the wordplay.
'ploughed' is an anagram indicator.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'area'+'is'='areais'
'areais' is an anagram of 'erasia'.
'erasia' going around 'u' is 'EURASIA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eurasia that I've seen before include "Unbroken landmass bearing two continents" , "Combined continent" , "Landmass extending west-east from Cape Roca to Cape Dezhnev" , "Two continents considered as one" , "Land mass - use aria (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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