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Dullness of deer country (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stagnation

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

'deer country' is the wordplay.
'deer' becomes 'stag' (stag is a kind of deer).
'country' becomes 'nation' (synonyms).
'stag'+'nation'='STAGNATION'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stagnation that I've seen before include "standstill" , "Process of reducing activity" , "It's still" , "Lack of movement or growth" , "State of little activity" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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