Crossword Genius

French word to use as a maxim (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

motto

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'maxim' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'french word to' is the wordplay.
'french word' becomes 'mot' (I've seen this in another clue).
'mot'+'to'='MOTTO'

'use as a' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

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(Other definitions for motto that I've seen before include "Short sentence adopted as rule of conduct" , "Saying in a cracker" , "(Family) maxim" , "statement of belief" , "Cracker slip" .)

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