Crossword Genius

English river’s discharge (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

axe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'river's discharge' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'english' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'english' could be 'e' (abbreviation) and 'e' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ax' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for axe that I've seen before include "Tool for cutting, chopping" , "Abandon project with chopping tool" , "Chopping tool; dismiss" , "can bring down plane" , "Sack with cleaver?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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