It could be filthy, it could be cruel (5)

I believe the answer is:

lucre

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'it could be filthy it' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'could be cruel' is the wordplay.
'could be' indicates an anagram.
'cruel' anagrammed gives 'LUCRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lucre that I've seen before include "profits" , "Ulcer (anag)" , "Cruel kind of money, may be filthy" , "Wealth - cruel (anag)" , "ill-gotten gain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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