Crossword Genius

Like 'La Mer', including A sharp (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brainy

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

'a sharp' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'like la mer including' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'brain' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brainy that I've seen before include "Intellectual" , "Clever, got lots of grey matter" , "Binary (anag.)" , "Having a high IQ" , "smart?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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