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Car user losing key in Thames, perhaps (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

river

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

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for river that I've seen before include "Eg, Severn" , "Current" , "Slow-cooked meat dish" , "Dee, Exe or Wye, say" , "Tees, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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