Crossword Genius

Cause bad deprivation (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rob

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'cause' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how they can define each other.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rob that I've seen before include "shortened form of man's name" , "Hold up" , "boy's name" , "Burgle" , "Unlawfully take property from (someone)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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