Crossword Genius

Big scare, masking face after the initial transmission starts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

titanic

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'big' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for titanic that I've seen before include "Famously sunken ship" , "Sinker" , "Ship that sank in 1912" , "Ship sunk by iceberg" , "Famous doomed transatlantic liner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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