Crossword Genius

Like these down entries and calm our nerves, just a bit churned up (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

columnar

'like these down entries' is the definition.
(down entries resemble columns)

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

(Other definitions for columnar that I've seen before include "Like a pillar" , "as post" , "Relating to a vertical division" , "Pillar-shaped" .)

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