Crossword Genius

For a celebrity, a drop of Scotch serves as a stiffener (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

starch

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

'stiffener' is the definition.
(starch is used to make fabric stiff)

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for starch that I've seen before include "foodstuff" , "ceremony" , "rigid" , "Formality - give stiffness" , "Formality - makes things stiff" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.