Crossword Genius

First pair shown overly elaborate excavator? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shovel

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

'excavator?' is the definition.
(I know that excavator can be written as shovel)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shovel that I've seen before include "digger" , "Tool for snow, coal, etc" , "Tool to be found in hovels?" , "Spade-like tool" , "Large spade" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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