Crossword Genius

Means to suppress report (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

silencer

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'means' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'suppress report' is the wordplay.
'suppress' becomes 'silence' (silencing is a kind of suppressing).
'report' becomes 'r' (this might be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'silence'+'r'='SILENCER'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for silencer that I've seen before include "Reclines (anag.)" , "Reclines with muffling device" , "Vehicle noise reducer" , "Device designed to deaden sound" , "Gun noise reducer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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