Crossword Genius

Mineworkers' lift, a hundred years old? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cage

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'mineworkers' lift' is the definition.
(type of lift used in a mine)

'a hundred years old?' is the wordplay.
'a hundred' becomes 'c' (Roman numeral).
'years old?' becomes 'age' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'c'+'age'='CAGE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cage that I've seen before include "Confine behind bars" , "US composer -- barred enclosure" , "Hutch" , "Enclose with bars" , "Eg, aviary" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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