Crossword Genius

Elegy, say, cleared up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dirge

'elegy' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'say cleared up' is the wordplay.
'say' becomes 'eg'.
'cleared' becomes 'rid' (as in ridding or clearing somewhere of something).
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'eg'+'rid'='egrid'
'egrid' backwards is 'DIRGE'.

(Other definitions for dirge that I've seen before include "Threnody" , "Funeral hymn" , "A slow mournful song, lament for the dead" , "dreary tune" , "Funeral lament" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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