Crossword Genius

Beast seeming to claim to be ten (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ibex

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

'claim to be ten' is the wordplay.
'claim' becomes 'i' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ten' becomes 'X' (Roman numeral).
'i'+'be'+'x'='IBEX'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ibex that I've seen before include "being nimble-footed" , "Wild goat of North Africa" , "Mountain-goat" , "one seldom puts a foot wrong" , "Large-horned wild goat" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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