Crossword Genius

Dull recording broadcast by one of our cousins (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

great ape

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'dull recording broadcast' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'by one of our cousins' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'by' could be 'at' and 'at' is located in the answer.
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for great ape that I've seen before include "Close relative to humans" , "Chimp perhaps" , "Wild animal" , "Large primate" , "orang-utan, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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