Crossword Genius

In France, is able to get out East (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caen

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'in france' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'able to get out east' is the wordplay.
'able' becomes 'can'.
'to get' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'out east' becomes 'e' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'out' bit.).
'can' placed around 'e' is 'CAEN'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caen that I've seen before include "City in Normandy" , "French city" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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