Crossword Genius

English rocks, lots of tiny ones? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shingle

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'lots of tiny ones?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'english rocks' is the wordplay.
'rocks' indicates an anagram.
'english' is an anagram of 'SHINGLE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shingle that I've seen before include "Seaside pebbles" , "'hairdo'" , "One lying on the beach" , "Mass of small rounded pebbles" , "on the roof?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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