Crossword Genius

Like a bird in the wake of a ship (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astern

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

'the wake of a ship' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'like a bird' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'a bird' becomes 'tern' (tern is a kind of bird).
'as'+'tern'='ASTERN'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astern that I've seen before include "at the vessel's rear" , "Towards rear of a vessel" , "Towards the rear of boat" , "Aft" , "Towards the rear of a ship" .)

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