In and around old empire (4)

I believe the answer is:

inca

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'old empire' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'in and around' is the wordplay.
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'around' becomes 'ca' (circa).
'in'+'ca'='INCA'

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(Other definitions for inca that I've seen before include "Pre-conquest South American Indian" , "lived in Peru" , "Language" , "Andean culture" , "Member of old South American Indian people of Peru" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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