Crossword Genius

Like a bird behind a boat (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astern

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

'like a bird behind a boat' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'like a bird behind' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'a bird' becomes 'tern' (tern is a kind of bird).
'behind' says to put letters next to each other.
'as'+'tern'='ASTERN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astern that I've seen before include "Aft" , "Behind (naut.)" , "Behind the back of a ship" , "Behind at sea" , "Backward" .)

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