Crossword Genius

As used in writing a letter to N. Ireland? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nib

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'as used in' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'a letter to n ireland?' is the wordplay.
'a letter' becomes 'b' ().
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'n ireland?' becomes 'NI' (Northern Ireland).
'b' put after 'ni' is 'NIB'.

'writing' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nib that I've seen before include "Pen end" , "Point of an old-fashioned pen" , "Pen's point" , "Writing point of old pen" , "Part of a fountain pen" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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