Collection returned to the French engineer (5)

I believe the answer is:

tesla

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

'collection returned to the french' is the wordplay.
'collection' becomes 'set' (set is a kind of collection).
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'to the french' becomes 'la' ('the' in French).
'set' written backwards gives 'tes'.
'tes'+'la'='TESLA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tesla that I've seen before include "American scientist" , "Californian company specialising in electric cars" , "Physicist" , "Nikola ---, electricity pioneer" , "electrical unit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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