Crossword Genius

Essay on general produced by socially superior types (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gentry

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'essay on general produced by socially superior types' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'essay on general' is the wordplay.
'essay' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'general' becomes 'gen'.
'try' put after 'gen' is 'GENTRY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gentry that I've seen before include "(Upper class) people" , "who are noble" , "Nobs" , "Top drawer" , "cream?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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