Crossword Genius

Leading European state (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maine

'state' is the definition.
(Maine is an example)

'leading european' is the wordplay.
'leading' becomes 'main'.
'european' becomes 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'main'+'e'='MAINE'

(Other definitions for maine that I've seen before include "state of USA" , "The USA's Pine Tree State" , "New England state" , "American state, capital Augusta" , "somewhere in America" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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