Crossword Genius

Detective leaving North American land once? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canaan

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'land once?' is the definition.
'canaan' can be an answer for 'land' (I have seen 'Biblical land ' mean 'canaan' so perhaps 'land' could also mean 'canaan'). I'm unsure of the 'once?' bit.

'detective leaving north american' is the wordplay.
'detective' becomes 'di' (Detective Inspector abbreviation).
'leaving' is a deletion indicator.
'north american' becomes 'canadian' (Canadian is an example).
'canadian' with 'di' removed is 'CANAAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canaan that I've seen before include "ancient country" , "Israelites' Promised Land" , "Ancient Palestine, the Promised Land" , "Biblical Promised Land" , "Old Palestine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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