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Classics expert one can put in register (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

latinist

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'classics' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'expert one can put in register' is the wordplay.
'expert one' becomes 'a' (a thing is one thing. I am not sure about the 'expert' bit.).
'can' becomes 'tin' (synonyms).
'put in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'register' becomes 'list' (listing is a kind of registering).
'a'+'tin'='atin'
'atin' going within 'list' is 'LATINIST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for latinist that I've seen before include "I should understand the -um ending!" , "My specialist subject may be Ovid" , "language expert" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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