Crossword Genius

Even its pursuers want to be (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vendetta

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'be' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vendetta that I've seen before include "Sicilian blood feud" , "Family blood feud" , "rivalry" , "Unremitting battle" , "intense feud" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Irish News.
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