Crossword Genius

Legally land small turtle, leaving trap (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terra

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'legally land' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for terra that I've seen before include "Dry land" , "Legally land" , "-- Firma; -- incognita" , "Centre" , "Latin word for earth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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