Crossword Genius

Italian agreement involves space in penultimate round (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

semi

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'penultimate round' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'italian agreement involves space' is the wordplay.
'italian agreement' becomes 'si' ('yes' in Italian).
'involves' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'space' becomes 'em' (in typography, a space as wide as a letter 'm').
'si' placed around 'em' is 'SEMI'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for semi that I've seen before include "half would do!" , "Common type of house" , "The next to final round" , "Type of house (UK) - type of truck (US)" , "Dwelling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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