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Joiner fusing a pole end-to-end (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

and

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'joiner' is the definition.
('and' joins words together)

'a pole end-to-end' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'n' (abbreviation for North, as in North Pole).
'end to' says to take the final letters.
The last letter of 'end' is 'd'.
'a'+'n'+'d'='AND'

'fusing' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for and that I've seen before include "It's used to connect words, clauses or sentences" , "Joining word" , "Joiner or dandies" , "Word to connect" , "See 20" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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