Crossword Genius

Does it guide old tars at sea around East? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lodestar

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'does it guide' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'old tars at sea around east?' is the wordplay.
'at sea' indicates anagramming the letters.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'east?' becomes 'e' ('E' can be a synonym of 'east').
'old'+'tars'='oldtars'
'oldtars' with letters rearranged gives 'lodstar'.
'lodstar' placed around 'e' is 'LODESTAR'.

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(Other definitions for lodestar that I've seen before include "In navigation, celestial reference point" , "Heavenly guide" , "Guiding light; leotards (anag.)" , "Guiding principle" , "Guiding light in sky" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Mail.
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